Catenane intramolecular acyloin coupling reaction

The bimolecular reductive coupling of carboxylic esters by reaction with metallic sodium in an inert solvent under reflux gives an a-hydroxyketone, which is known as an acyloin. This reaction is favoured when R is an alkyl. With longer alkyl chains, higher boiling solvents can be used. The intramolecular version of this reaction has been used extensively to close rings of different sizes, e.g. paracyclophanes or catenanes. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

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