Carbonyl compounds synthesis, Knoevenagel reaction

Subsequent to Hantzsch s communication for the construction of pyridine derivatives, a number of other groups have reported their efforts towards the synthesis of the pyridine heterocyclic framework. Initially, the protocol was modified by Beyer and later by Knoevenagel to allow preparation of unsymmetrical 1,4-dihydropyridines by condensation of an alkylidene or arylidene P-dicarbonyl compound with a P-amino-a,P-unsaturated carbonyl compound. Following these initial reports, additional modifications were communicated and since these other methods fall under the condensation approach, they will be presented as variations, although each of them has attained the status of named reaction . 

Knoevenagel reaction org chem The condensation of aldehydes with compounds containing an activated methylene (=Cff2) group. ka ne va.nag al re.ak shan ) Knorr synthesis orgchem Acondensation reaction carried out In either glacial acetic acid or an aqueous alkali in which an a-aminoketone combines with an a-carbonyl compound to form a pyrrole possibly the most versatile pyrrole synthesis. nor, sin-th3-s3s ... 

The Knoevenagel condensation is a cross-aldol condensation of a carbonyl compound with an active methylene compound leading to C-C bond formation (Scheme 7). This reaction has wide application in the synthesis of fine chemicals and is classically catalyzed by bases in solution (146,147). 

According to the classical Hantzsch synthesis of pyridine derivatives, an a,(5-unsaturated carbonyl compound is first formed by Knoevenagel condensation of an aldehyde with a P-dicarbonyl compound. The next step is a Michael reaction with another equivalent of the P-dicarbonyl compound (or its enamine) to form a 1,5-diketone, which finally undergoes a cyclocondensation with ammonia to give a 1,4-dihydropyridine with specific symmetry in its substitution pattern. 

Retrosynthetic analysis of the target coumarin skeleton provides two major synthetic routes (Figure 10.1). Route A requires an aromatic o-hydroxy carbonyl compound and a two-carbon fragment observed in Knoevenagel and Perkin reactions reflecting the [4h-2] approach for the construction of six-membered heterocycles. Route B represents the reaction between phenols and three carbon fragments associated with the Pechmann cyclization. In recent years, newer synthetic methodologies have also been applied to the synthesis of a variety of coumarins that have avoided the use of concentrated sulfuric acid. The present chapter reviews various... 

---