Application of Organolithium and Related Reagents in Synthesis,Part 29 [1]. A Concise Regiospecific Conversion of Benzoic Acids into 5-(2-Carboxyphenyl)-5-phenylpent-2-enoic Acids

Summary. A convenient two-step protocol preparation of ortho-alkylated (substituent with the carbomethoxy group at the end of five carbon atoms alkyl chain) aromatic carboxylic acids from benzoic acids anilides is described. Ortho-lithiation of benzanilides and subsequent reaction of the generated bis(N- and C-ortho-)-lithiated anilides with aromatic aldehydes provided 3-arylphthalides. In the next step, these phthalides were converted into 5-(2-carboxyphenyl)-5-phenylpent-2-enoic acids by treatment with 1-methoxy-1-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-diene.