Study of C-alkylation of functional derivatives of arylacetic acids by phase transfer catalysis

Author(s)

Marco Antonio da Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2001-12-18

Examining board members

Liliana Marzorati; Angela Regina Araujo; Luiz Henrique Catalani; Jose Augusto Rosario Rodrigues; Hans Viertler

• Advisor: Liliana Marzorati

Abstract

The present work focussed on the alkylation reactions, via Phase Transfer Catalysis, of several acyl derivatives: (See files PDF). In order to evaluate the extension of the backgroud reaction, several blank experiments were performed, in the absence of catalyst. The efficiency of the catalitic process was determined using as catalyst an achiral ammonium salt (TBAH). Experimental conditions were optimized using liquid-liquid or solid-liquid systems. In reactions performed with the ester derivatives (24), (25) and (26), hydrolytic acyl cleavage could be observed. However, for compounds (27), (28) and (29), C-alkylated products could be isolated in reasonable yields. Reactions conducted under asymmetric PTC conditions led, in most cases, to racemic products. Esters were considered inadequate substrates for C-alkylation as a consequence of three main factors: (i) low reactivity under PTC conditions, (ii) product racemization or (iii) formation of loose ion-pairs, or diastereomeric intermediates of equal thermodynamic stability. Asymmetric PTC alkylation of amide (31) afforded a C-benzylated optically active product in low yield (ee= 30%). Improved reactivity could be observed for this substrate as compared to amide (30), as a result of increasing acidity and a more favorable interaction between the catalyst and the corresponding enolate. For compounds (32), (33) and (34), the enantiomeric excess of the corresponding C-benzylated products could not be determined, precluding a comparison of the efficiency of the stereoselective catalytic process. For each case, results were discussed in terms of currently accepted models for the enolate/catalyst interaction. (AU)