Beckmann rearrangement fragmentation

The focus of the next four chapters (Chapters 14-17) is mainly on the theoretical/computational aspects. Chapter 14 by T. S. Sorensen and E. C. F. Yang examines the involvement of p-hydrido cation intermediates in the context of the industrially important heptane to toluene dehydrocyclization process. Chapter 15 by P. M. Esteves et al. is devoted to theoretical studies of carbonium ions. Chapter 16 by G. L. Borosky and K. K. Laali presents a computational study on aza-PAH carbocations as models for the oxidized metabolites of Aza-PAHs. Chapter 17 by S. C. Ammal and H. Yamataka examines the borderline Beckmann rearrangement-fragmentation mechanism and explores the influence of carbocation stability on the reaction mechanism. 

BECKMANN Rearrangement or fragmentation Acid catalyzed rearrangement of oximes to amides or cleavage of oximes to nitnies... 

The reaction that normally occurs on treatment of a ketoxime with a Lewis or proton acid is the Beckmann rearrangement (18-17) fragmentations are considered side reactions, often called abnormal or second-order Beckmann rearrangements. Obviously, the substrates mentioned are much more susceptible to fragmentation than are ordinary ketoximes, since in each case an unshared pair is available to assist in removal of the group cleaving from the carbon. However, fragmentation is a side reaction even with ordinary ketoximes and, in cases where a particularly stable carbocation can be cleaved, may be the main reaction. ... 

Baeyer-Villiger reaction, 9, 3 43, 3 Bamford-Stevens reaction, 23, 3 Barbier Reaction, 58, 2 Bart reaction, 2, 10 Barton fragmentation reaction, 48, 2 Bechamp reaction, 2, 10 Beckmann rearrangement, 11, 1 35, 1 Benzils, reduction of, 4, 5 Benzoin condensation, 4, 5 Benzoquinones ... 

Several pathways may be possible for the Beckmann fragmentation reaction (equations 68 and 69). Stepwise processes may occur (equation 68), but stereospecific concerted fragmentations are also common (equation 69). Stepwise processes may follow different routes, but in most cases the fragmentation may have the same intermediate as the Beckmann rearrangement the nitrilium ion. 

Rare-earth exchanged [Ce ", La ", Sm"" and RE (RE = La/Ce/Pr/Nd)] Na-Y zeolites, K-10 montmorillonite clay and amorphous silica-alumina have also been employed as solid acid catalysts for the vapour-phase Beckmann rearrangement of salicylaldoxime 245 to benzoxazole 248 (equation 74) and of cinnamaldoxime to isoquinoline . Under appropriate reaction conditions on zeolites, salicyl aldoxime 245 undergoes E-Z isomerization followed by Beckmann rearrangement and leads to the formation of benzoxazole 248 as the major product. Fragmentation product 247 and primary amide 246 are formed as minor compounds. When catalysts with both Br0nsted and Lewis acidity were used, a correlation between the amount of Br0nsted acid sites and benzoxazole 248 yields was observed. 

Fragmentation of the intermediate or concerted formation of nitriles from the activated oxime (Scheme 9, pathway 3) this is the Beckmann fragmentation. In some circumstances this pathway becomes dominant, particularly when there are quaternary carbons adjacent to the oxime. This transformation has found particular utility in ring-cleavage processes (sometimes called abnormal or second-order Beckmann rearrangements). 

The Beckmann fragmentation may compete seriously with the Beckmann rearrangement. Both reactions may proceed via common intermediates and the observed selectivity strongly depends on the structural features of the starting compound. Reaction conditions can also have a strong influence on the success of the reaction. 

In some cases, the fragmentation product is largely predominant, or even the only product observed. The Beckmann fragmentation process will be analysed briefly in this text as it can limit the utility of the Beckmann rearrangement. 

Although the Beckmann fragmentation may be regarded as a limitation for the application of the Beckmann rearrangement, it provides a synthetic method to produce nitrile compounds. Some examples from the recent literature are collected in the next section. 

Another recent example of unsuccessful Beckmann rearrangement is shown in equation 212 and produced a benzopyran nitrile 491 . As in the previous example, mesomeric assistance by the oxygen atom turned the fragmentation very favourable. 

The fact that under the same conditions acetophenone oxime does not form amides, but remains intact, also provides evidence against the classical Beckmann rearrangement. The conditions found can be employed for preparing amides from nitriles and aldoximes, especially when the latter contain fragments unstable to acids. In the absence of DMSO, benzaldoxime is dehydrated with alkali only at the boiling point (200°C). 

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