title: Direct synthesis of macrodiolides via hafnium(IV) catalysis.
abstract: Efficient direct synthesis of macrodiolides via catalysis using Hf(OTf)4 is possible in high yields, forming water as the sole by-product. The first protocol for the direct synthesis of macrodiolides from equimolar mixtures of diols and dicarboxylic acids was developed (58-96%). In addition, modification of the reaction concentration allows for the synthesis of head-to-tail macrodiolides from the corresponding seco acids. The catalytic preparation of the macrodiolides using a commercially available catalyst without the need for slow addition or azeotropic condition provides an operationally simple alternative to protocols which employ toxic tin catalysts or stoichiometric activation strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Centre for Green Chemistry and Catalysis, Université de Montréal, CP 6128 Station Downtown, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. shawn.collins@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Mylène
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Léséleuc
authors.forename: Shawn K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006195:Hafnium / Q000737:chemistry*; D018942:Macrolides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D018942:Macrolides; D006195:Hafnium