Kolbe-Schmitt reaction of sodium 2-naphthoxide

The mechanism of the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction of sodium 2-naphthoxide is examined by means of the B3LYP/LANL2DZ method. After the initial formation of sodium 2-naphthoxide-CO₂ complex, the carbon of the CO₂ moiety performs an electrophilic attack on the naphthalene ring. Further transformations lead to the formation of sodium 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoate. Sodium 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate is formed by a 1,3-rearrangement of the CO₂Na group. Our findings are in good agreement with the experimental results on the carboxylation reaction of sodium 2-naphthoxide. Correspondence: Svetlana Marković, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia