title: Catalytic and asymmetric fluorolactonisations of carboxylic acids through anion phase transfer.
abstract: Catalytic fluorolactonisations of aromatic carboxylic acids have been developed. The reactions proceed under mild conditions using the commercially available reagent Selectfluor. A weak phase transfer of the reagent mediated by Na2CO3 allows the reaction to be conducted in non-polar solvents. Furthermore, by the use of a catalytic amount of (DHQ)2PHAL (hydroquinine 1,4-phthalazinediyl diether), the first asymmetric fluorolactonisation has been achieved. The corresponding isobenzofuran core can be found in many biologically active molecules.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Organische Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen (Germany), Fax: (+49) 241-8092665.
authors.forename: Dixit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.forename: Modhu Sudan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Maji
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rueping
keywords: asymmetric synthesis; carboxylic acids; cyclisation; fluorination; lactones