First general, direct, and regioselective synthesis of substituted methoxybenzoic acids by ortho metalation.
New general methodology of value in aromatic chemistry based on ortho-metalation sites in o-, m-, and p-anisic acids (1-3) (Scheme 1) is described. The metalation can be selectively directed to either of the ortho positions by varying the base, metalation temperature, and exposure times. Metalation of o-anisic acid (1) with s-BuLi/TMEDA in THF at -78 degrees C occurs exclusively in the position adjacente to the carboxylate. On the other hand, a reversal of regioselectivity is observed with n-BuLi/t-BuOK. With LTMP at 0 degrees C, the two directors of m-anisic acid (2) function in concert to direct introduction of the metal between them while n-BuLi/t-BuOK removes preferentially the proton located ortho to the methoxy and para to the carboxylate (H-4). s-BuLi/TMEDA reacts with p-anisic acid (3) exclusively in the vicinity of the carboxylate. According to these methodologies, routes to very simple methoxybenzoic acids with a variety of functionalities that are not easily accessible by other means have been developed (Table 1).
Nguyen
Thi-Huu
TH
Université du Maine and CNRS, Unité de chimie organique moléculaire et macromoléculaire (UMR 6011), Faculté des sciences, avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9, France.
Chau
Nguyet Trang Thanh
NT
Castanet
Anne-Sophie
AS
Nguyen
Kim Phi Phung
KP
Mortier
Jacques
J