Aromatic alkoxides

An important exception to this regularity is the cyclization of aromatic alkoxides containing aromatic radical moieties. In these cases, C-0 bond formation is not observed, but C-C bond formation is achieved instead. As Galli and Gentili (1998) pointed out, this is primarily due to the unfavorable thermodynamic driving force for C-0 bond formation compared to C-C bond formation. Thus, the photostimulated reaction depicted in Scheme 7.39 results in the formation of a six-membered carbocycle rather than an octa-membered oxa-heterocycle. The carbocycle is formed in 75% yield (Barolo et al. 2006). This product is a precursor to the thalicmidine biomolecule of the alkaloid group. 

Carbanions from hydrocarbons, nitriles, ketones, esters, TV./V-dialkyl acetamides and thioamides, and mono and dianions from (3-dicarbonyl compounds are some of the most common nucleophiles through which a new C-C bond can be formed. This C-C bond formation is also achieved by reaction with aromatic alkoxides. Among the nitrogen nucleophiles known to react are amide ions to form anilines however, the anions from aromatic amines, pyrroles, diazoles and triazoles, react with aromatic substrates to afford C-arylation. 

A considerable number of nucleophiles have been shown to react through this mechanism stabilized carbanions, anions derived from elements of the VIA group (S, Se, Te) and anions from elements of the V A group (P, As, Sb). More recently cyanide anion, nitrogen and oxygen (e.g. aromatic alkoxides) nucleophiles have been added to the list. These nucleophiles behave as C— rather than as N— or O— nucleophiles. 

On the other hand, aromatic alkoxide ions were believed to be unreactive since substitution was not observed in the reaction of PhO ions with halobenzenes stimulated elec-trochemically243, by solvated electrons from alkali metals244 or sodium amalgam245 or under light stimulation14,246. 

Other substitution reactions lead to more crystalline phases. Reaction of (4-aminopyridine)i/4FeOCl with methanol at 100 °C, for example, gives crystalline FeOOMe. Reactions with aliphatic and aromatic alkoxides and acids, of the type shown in equations (13) and (14), have also been studied. More rigid and longer molecules, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, can crosslink the iron oxide layers. An initial intercalation step that causes an expansion of the FeOCl interlayer distance is followed by a second substitntion step leading to layer crosslinking. 

Clalsen aldol condensation. This consists in the condensation of an aromatic aldehyde and an ester R—CHjCOOCjHj in the presence of finely divided sodium and a trace of alcohol at a low temperature. The catalyst is the alkoxide ion aqueous alkalis caimot be employed since they will hydrolyse the resulting ester. The product is an ap-unsaturated ester, for example ... 

The reaction between an alkoxide ion and an aryl halide can be used to prepare alkyl aryl ethers only when the aryl halide is one that reacts rapidly by the addition-elim mation mechanism of nucleophilic aromatic substitution (Section 23 6)... 

Solvent for Displacement Reactions. As the most polar of the common aprotic solvents, DMSO is a favored solvent for displacement reactions because of its high dielectric constant and because anions are less solvated in it (87). Rates for these reactions are sometimes a thousand times faster in DMSO than in alcohols. Suitable nucleophiles include acetyUde ion, alkoxide ion, hydroxide ion, azide ion, carbanions, carboxylate ions, cyanide ion, hahde ions, mercaptide ions, phenoxide ions, nitrite ions, and thiocyanate ions (31). Rates of displacement by amides or amines are also greater in DMSO than in alcohol or aqueous solutions. Dimethyl sulfoxide is used as the reaction solvent in the manufacture of high performance, polyaryl ether polymers by reaction of bis(4,4 -chlorophenyl) sulfone with the disodium salts of dihydroxyphenols, eg, bisphenol A or 4,4 -sulfonylbisphenol (88). These and related reactions are made more economical by efficient recycling of DMSO (89). Nucleophilic displacement of activated aromatic nitro groups with aryloxy anion in DMSO is a versatile and useful reaction for the synthesis of aromatic ethers and polyethers (90). 

Nucleophilic Substitutions of Benzene Derivatives. Benzene itself does not normally react with nucleophiles such as haUde ions, cyanide, hydroxide, or alkoxides (7). However, aromatic rings containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups, usually halogen, react with nucleophiles to give substitution products. An example of this type of reaction is the industrial conversion of chlorobenzene to phenol with sodium hydroxide at 400°C (8). 

The range of nueleophiles whieh have been observed to partieipate in nueleophilie aromatie substitution is similar to that for S[, 2 reactions and includes alkoxides, phenoxides, sulftdes, fluoride ion, and amines. Substitutions by earbanions are somewhat less common. This may be because there are frequently complications resulting from eleetron-transfer proeesses with nitroaromatics. Solvent effects on nucleophilic aromatic substitutions are similar to those discussed for S 2 reactions. Dipolar... 

Many aromatic steroids submitted to the Birch reduction contain hydroxyl groups which are deprotonated to the corresponding alkoxides during the reduction, particularly if a tertiary alcohol is used as the proton donoi. The steroidal alkoxides and the one derived from the proton donor often precipitate and cause foaming of the reaction mixture, as was noted by Wilds and Nelson. These alkoxides can be kept in solution by adding an excess of the proton donor alcohol to the mixture the alcohol also assists in dissolving the starting hydroxylic steroid. A particularly useful reaction medium for hydroxylic steroids contains ammonia, tetrahydrofuran and -butyl alcohol in the volume ratio of 2 1 (Procedure 2, section V). This mixture... 

The second proposed mechanism involves initial ring opening of the phthalimide. Alkoxide attack on one of the imide carbonyls furnishes amide anion 26. Proton transfer affords enolate 27, which undergoes Diekmann type condensation followed by aromatization to afford the requisite isoquinoline 23. 

The activation energy of substitution of an unactivated aromatic halide (e.g., fiuorobenzene and 2-chloronaphthalene ) is over 30 kcal while that of activated compounds is 5-20 kcal. For the tabulated reactions (Tables II-VIII) with alkoxide and with primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, resonance activation (cf. 278 and 279) by ortho or para nitrogens is found to be greater than inductive activation (cf. 251). This relation is qualitatively demonstrated in... 

Figure 17.2 The resonance-stabilized phenoxide ion is more stable than an alkoxide ion. Electrostatic potential maps show how the negative charge is concentrated on oxygen in the methoxide ion but is spread over the aromatic ring in the phenoxide ion.

From the preceding discussion, it is easily understood that direct polyesterifications between dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic diols (Scheme 2.8, R3 = H) and polymerizations involving aliphatic or aromatic esters, acids, and alcohols (Scheme 2.8, R3 = alkyl group, and Scheme 2.9, R3 = H) are rather slow at room temperature. These reactions must be carried out in the melt at high temperature in the presence of catalysts, usually metal salts, metal oxides, or metal alkoxides. Vacuum is generally applied during the last steps of the reaction in order to eliminate the last traces of reaction by-product (water or low-molar-mass alcohol, diol, or carboxylic acid such as acetic acid) and to shift the reaction toward the... 

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