Boron-Catalyzed α-Functionalizations of Carboxylic Acids

Catalytic, chemoselective, and asymmetric α-functionalizations of carboxylic acids promise up-grading simple feedstock materials to value-added functional molecules, as well as late-stage structural diversifications of multifunctional molecules, such as drugs and their leads. In this personal account, we describe boron-catalyzed α-functionalizations of carboxylic acids developed in our group (five reaction types). The reversible boron carboxylate formation is key to the acidification of the α-protons and enolization using mild organic bases, allowing for chemoselective and asymmetric bond formations of carboxylic acids. The ligand effects on reactivity and stereoselectivity, substrate scopes, and mechanistic insights are summarized.     

Selective Esterification of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids in the Presence of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids Over Monoammonium Salt of 12‐Tungstophosphoric Acid

Monoammonium salt of 12‐tungstophosphoric acid [(NH₄)H₂PW₁₂O₄₀] was found to be a practical and useful heterogeneous catalyst for an efficient and selective esterification of aliphatic carboxylic acids with alcohols in the presence of aromatic carboxylic acids. The heteropoly acid–based heterogeneous catalyst has the advantages of a simple workup procedure, water insolubility, and good activity.     

Ammonium Iodide–Promoted Cyclization of Aryl-Substituted Carboxylic Acids

An efficient procedure was developed for direct preparation of aryl-substituted lactones from corresponding aryl carboxylic acids, which was promoted by ammonium iodide. In this protocol, aryl carboxylic acids were treated with ammonium iodide, potassium bromide, and oxidant Oxone in a mixture of acetonitrile and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (6:4) at room temperature for 12 h, resulting in corresponding aryl lactones in moderate to good yields.     

Beyond Kolbe and Hofer–Moest: Electrochemical Synthesis of Carboxylic Anhydrides from Carboxylic Acids

Herein we report a conceptually new non-decarboxylative electrolysis of carboxylic acids to obtain their corresponding anhydrides as highly valuable reagents in organic synthesis. All carbon atoms of the starting material are preserved in the product in an overall redox-neutral reaction. In a broad substrate scope of carboxylic acids the anhydrides are generated with high selectivity, which demonstrates the versatility of the developed method. Beneficially, no dehydrating reagents are required in comparison to conventional methods and the synthesis is based on uncritical starting materials using graphite and stainless steel as very inexpensive and eco-friendly electrode materials.     

Polyenolates of Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids in Synthesis. Synthesis of Unsaturated α-Amino Acids and β-Hydrazing Acids

Regioselective reaction of lithium diene-and triene-diolates 1 and 2 with O-diphenylphosphinyl hydroxylamine affords unsaturated α-amino acids 3 and 4. Addition to DEAD leads selectively to γ-hydrazino unsaturated acids 5 and 6.     

Efficient Cluster-Based Catalysts for Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

The new clusters [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(10) (μ-1,2-P-P)], [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(10) (1,1-P-P)] and [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(11) (P-P)] (P-P=chiral diphosphine of the ferrocene-based Josiphos or Walphos ligand families) have been synthesised and characterised. The crystal and molecular structures of eleven clusters reveal that the coordination modes of the diphosphine in the [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(10) (μ-1,2-P-P)] clusters are different for the Josiphos and the Walphos ligands. The Josiphos ligands bridge a metal-metal bond of the ruthenium tetrahedron in the "conventional" manner, that is, with both phosphine moieties coordinated in equatorial positions relative to a triangular face of the tetrahedron, whereas the phosphine moieties of the Walphos ligands coordinate in one axial and one equatorial position. The differences in the ligand size and the coordination mode between the two types of ligands appear to be reflected in a relative propensity for isomerisation; in solution, the [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(10) (1,1-Walphos)] clusters isomerise to the corresponding [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(10) (μ-1,2-Walphos)] clusters, whereas the Josiphos-containing clusters show no tendency to isomerisation in solution. The clusters have been tested as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of four prochiral α-unsaturated carboxylic acids and the prochiral methyl ester (E)-methyl 2-methylbut-2-enoate. High conversion rates (>94?%) and selectivities of product formation were observed for almost all catalysts/catalyst precursors. The observed enantioselectivities were low or nonexistent for the Josiphos-containing clusters and catalyst (cluster) recovery was low, suggesting that cluster fragmentation takes place. On the other hand, excellent conversion rates (99-100?%), product selectivities (99-100?% in most cases) and good enantioselectivities, reaching 90?% enantiomeric excess (ee) in certain cases, were observed for the Walphos-containing clusters, and the clusters could be recovered in good yield after completed catalysis. Results from high-pressure NMR and IR studies, catalyst poisoning tests and comparison of catalytic properties of two [H(4) Ru(4) (CO)(10) (μ-1,2-P-P)] clusters (P-P=Walphos ligands) with the analogous mononuclear catalysts [Ru(P-P)(carboxylato)(2) ] suggest that these clusters may be the active catalytic species, or direct precursors of an active catalytic cluster species.     

Palladium/Zinc Co-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of γ-Keto Carboxylic Acids

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of levulinic acid has been successful developed by using Zn(OTf)₂ as co-catalyst. The present method not only has provided a strategy in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of ketone, but also allowed the preparation of a wide range of chiral γ-valerolactones in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities.     

Highly Acidic Conjugate-Base-Stabilized Carboxylic Acids Catalyze Enantioselective oxa-Pictet–Spengler Reactions with Ketals

Acyclic ketone-derived oxocarbenium ions are involved as intermediates in numerous reactions that provide valuable products, however, they have thus far eluded efforts aimed at asymmetric catalysis. We report that a readily accessible chiral carboxylic acid catalyst exerts control over asymmetric cyclizations of acyclic ketone-derived trisubstituted oxocarbenium ions, thereby providing access to highly enantioenriched dihydropyran products containing a tetrasubstituted stereogenic center. The high acidity of the carboxylic acid catalyst, which exceeds that of the well-known chiral phosphoric acid catalyst TRIP, is largely derived from stabilization of the carboxylate conjugate base through intramolecular anion-binding to a thiourea site.     

Polymer Supported Synthesis of 2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-Acetyl-β-D-Glucopyranosyl Esters of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

Aromatic carboxylic acids bound to Amberlyst A-26 react with α-acetobromoglucose to form 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-0-aroyl-β-D-glucopy ranose derivatives in good yield. Glucosylation occurs satisfactorily with carboxylic acids and nitrophenols (pKa 7–4), but not with phenols whose pKa values are higher (pka ～ 10). Selective glucosylation at the carboxylic group is easily achieved in the case of phenolic acids.     

Efficient Fixation of Carbon Dioxide by Electrolysis Facile Synthesis of Useful Carboxylic Acids

Electrochemical fixation of atmospheric pressure of carbon dioxide to organic compounds is a useful and attractive method for synthesizing of various carboxylic acids. Electrochemical fixation of carbon dioxide, electrochemical carboxylation, organic halides, organic triflates, alkenes, aromatic compounds, and carbonyl compounds can readily occur in the presence of an atmospheric pressure of carbon dioxide to form the corresponding carboxylic acids with high yields, when a sacrificial anode such as magnesium or aluminum is used in the electrolysis. The electrochemical carboxylation of vinyl bromides was successfully applied for the synthesis of the precursor of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen and naproxen. On the other hand, supercritical carbon dioxide （scCO2） has significant potential as an environmentally benign solvent in organic synthesis and it could be used both as a solvent and as a reagent in these electrochemical carboxylations by using a small amount of cosolvent.     

Effect of Temperature on the Solubility of Short-Chain Carboxylic Acids in Water

The aqueous solubilities of pentanoic and hexanoic acids were measured between 298.15 and 333.15 K at intervals of 5.00 K. Nonlinear dependences were found for the variation of solubility with temperature. The temperature dependences of the solubility of the acids in water are described by nonlinear van’t Hoff plots. Experimental data were fitted by the method of least-squares to a second-order polynomial equation, which was then used to determine the differential solution enthalpies at selected temperatures. The values for the apparent Gibbs energy and the apparent entropy of solution are calculated.     

A Convenient Procedure for the Conversion of Carboxylic Acids to α-Bromo Thiolesters

Carboxylic acids can be conveniently transformed to the corresponding α-bromo thiolesters by a one-pot procedure involving Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction and trapping the α-bromo acyl bromide intermediate with mercaptans.     

Interaction between a Decahydro-closo-Decaborate(2–) Anion and Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids

Interaction between a closo-decaborate anion B₁₀H^2– ₁₀and carboxylic acids RCOOH (R = H, CH₃, C₂H₅, iso-C₃H₇, C₄H₉) is studied. The mono-, di- tri- and tetrasubstituted products B₁₀H_{10 – n} (OCOR)^2– _n are formed in sequence with the temperature growth. The reaction follows an essentially regioselective mechanism: only one of all possible isomers forms at every stage of the process. The respective hydroxy-closo-decaborates B₁₀H_{10 – n} (OH)^2– _n were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions. All the compounds were identified by chemical analysis and ¹¹B NMR and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [Pb(Bipy)(DMF)(B₁₀H₉OH)] · DMF was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Esterification of Carboxylic Acids and Diacids by Trialkyl Borate under Solvent- and Catalyst-Free Conditions

Esterification or transesterification reactions are usually carried out in the presence of homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. However, recently a new method was reported for the esterification of carboxylic acids by tributyl borate under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions. In order to show the synthetic ability of trialkyl borate esters in the esterification reactions, here, the esterification of other carboxylic acids and diacids by tributyl-, triisoamyl-, and tribenzyl borate under the same conditions were reported. Some of the prepared ester and diester products have found wide applications as plasticizers and synthetic ester base lubricants. The esterification reactions have been cleanly carried out in the absence of any solvent under catalyst-free conditions. The maximum rate belongs to isoamyl trichloroacetate （VIb） which reached about 76% within about 6.5 h. On the basis of obtained findings, it seems that electron withdrawing groups on carboxylic acid facilitate the esterification reaction.     

A Protocol for Accessing the β-Azidation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

This contribution reports the preparation and use of a new immobilized catalyst, PS-DABCOF (9), which has been specifically designed to access for the first time the efficient β-azidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids.     

Influence of Carboxylic Acids on the Synthesis of Chlorohydrin Esters from 1,3‐Butanediol

The influence of diverse carboxylic acid on the preparation of chlorohydrin esters using a one‐pot esterification–chlorination reaction, in which one of the reagents (chlorotrimethylsilane) acts as solvent, is described. Whereas the acid with low pKa provided higher amounts of the 2‐chloro regioisomer, the ones with higher pKa rendered the 1‐chloro regioisomer in 80% yield. These results are in accordance with the mechanism proposed in a previous article.     

Reductions of Carboxylic Acids and Esters with NaBH4 in Diglyme at 162°C

Abstract

Aromatic esters, including the extremely sterically hindered ester: t-amyl 2-chlorobenzoate, are readily reduced to the corresponding benzyl alcohols in high yield with NaBH₄ in refluxing diglyme (162°C). In sharp contrast, aliphatic esters usually gave only low yields of alcohols. Instead, diglyme fragmentation products are formed which undergo transesterification reactions, producing complex product mixtures including products such as RCOOCH₂CH₂OCH₃. The mechanism of this process involves sodium borohydride-induced S_N2 cleavage of diglyme (hydride attack) at high temperatures. However, when the extremely electron rich, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid is treated with NaBH₄/diglyme at 162°C (with or without an equivalent of LiCl), no 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzyl alcohol is formed. The electron rich and hindered ester, t-amyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, also does not reduce under these conditions (with or without LiCl). However, both methyl and isopropyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate esters were converted into 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzyl alcohol in good yields in NaBH₄/diglyme/LiCl at 162°C. These reductions did not occur unless LiCl was present, illustrating the electron releasing effect of the three methoxy functions which reduce the carbonyl group's reactivity.     

The Luminescence Properties and Intramolecular Energy Transfer of Rare Earth Complexes with Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

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Design of Supported Organocatalysts from Carboxylic Acids for the Mannich-Type Synthesis of β-Amino Carbonyl Compounds

New supported acidic organocatalysts were prepared by the impregnation of three carboxylic acids (CF₃COOH, CCl₃COOH, and CH₃COOH) on silica support at room temperature in diethyl ether. The catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-surface-area-analysis (BET), thermogravitational analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and powder X-ray diffractometry analysis. These solid acids were observed as highly efficient reusable catalysts at room temperature for the selective synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compounds via Mannich-type reactions of acetophenone, arylamine and arylaldehydes using two different conditions in CH₂Cl₂ solution and solvent-free grinding within a short time. The more acidic two catalysts could be recycled for up to five cycles with a small loss in catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and Hydrophosphorylation of π-Complexes of Esters of Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids with Chromium Subgroup Metals

Photochemical and thermochemical activation were used to prepare new -complexes of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten containing ²- and ⁴-coordinated methyl acrylate, methyl cynnamate, and dimethyl fumarate molecules. Geometric, electronic, and energetic parameters of the coordinated ester molecules were found and factors governing ²- and ⁴-coordination of the oxodiene system were revealed by nonempirical calculations. Monocarboxylic acid esters incorporated in the -complexes react with dialkyl hydrogen phosphites to give dialkyl acyl phosphites coordinated with the metal center and susceptible to oxidation the corresponding phosphates. In this case, the phosphorylation involves the OH-tautomer of dialkyl hydrogen phosphite. Coordinated dimethyl fumarate undergoes phosphorylation by two concurrent pathways, viz. transesterification or Pudovik reaction. In the latter case, fragmentation of the organometallic compound takes place.