Nucleophilic β‐Carbon Activation of Propionic Acid as a 3‐Carbon Synthon by Carbene Organocatalysis |
| |
| Authors: | Dr Zhenqian Fu Prof?Dr Jaume Torres Pengcheng Zheng Prof?Dr Song Yang Prof?Dr Bao‐An Song Prof?Dr Yonggui Robin Chi |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371 (Singapore);2. School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371 (Singapore);3. Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural, Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural, Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025 (P. R. China) |
| |
| Abstract: | Direct β‐carbon activation of propionic acid (C2H5CO2H) by carbene organocatalysis has been developed. This activation affords the smallest azolium homoenolate intermediate (without any substituent) as a 3‐carbon nucleophile for enantioselective reactions. Propionic acid is an excellent raw material because it is cheap, stable, and safe. This approach provides a much better solution to azolium homoenolate synthesis than the previously established use of acrolein (enal without any substituent), which is expensive, unstable, and toxic. |
| |
| Keywords: | asymmetric synthesis β ‐activation N‐heterocyclic carbenes organocatalysis propionic acid |
|
|
