Kolbe coupling of half esters

Kolbe coupling of half esters Monomethyl adipate - Dimethyl sebacate Europe, India, Japan n/a Pt anode in methanol... 

The coupling of carboxylic acids has been profitably used in natural product synthesis. Kolbe electrolysis of 8 is part of a (-j-)-a-onocerin synthesis [36], the electrolysis of 9 afforded a dimer with two quaternary carbon atoms [37], and 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracontane has been synthesized from 10 [38]. Cyclo-propylcarboxylic acids, e.g. 11 [39] and 12 [40], could be coupled to bicyclopropyl compounds others led to allylic compounds via ring opening of an intermediate carbenium ion. The dimerization of half-esters of diacids is also of industrial interest, because in this way l, -diesters are easily accessible [41]. 

Faraday, in 1834, was the first to encounter Kolbe-electrolysis, when he studied the electrolysis of an aqueous acetate solution [1], However, it was Kolbe, in 1849, who recognized the reaction and applied it to the synthesis of a number of hydrocarbons [2]. Thereby the name of the reaction originated. Later on Wurtz demonstrated that unsymmetrical coupling products could be prepared by coelectrolysis of two different alkanoates [3]. Difficulties in the coupling of dicarboxylic acids were overcome by Crum-Brown and Walker, when they electrolysed the half esters of the diacids instead [4]. This way a simple route to useful long chain l,n-dicarboxylic acids was developed. In some cases the Kolbe dimerization failed and alkenes, alcohols or esters became the main products. The formation of alcohols by anodic oxidation of carboxylates in water was called the Hofer-Moest reaction [5]. Further applications and limitations were afterwards foimd by Fichter [6]. Weedon extensively applied the Kolbe reaction to the synthesis of rare fatty acids and similar natural products [7]. Later on key features of the mechanism were worked out by Eberson [8] and Utley [9] from the point of view of organic chemists and by Conway [10] from the point of view of a physical chemist. In Germany [11], Russia [12], and Japan [13] Kolbe electrolysis of adipic halfesters has been scaled up to a technical process. 

A large number of trialkylacetic acid esters have been prepared by mixed Kolbe electrolysis of ethyl malonates [164]. Crossed-coupling is also used for chain extension. Extension by two carbon atoms is achieved with benzyl succinates [153, 180-182], whereby the purification of the chain extended fatty acid is simphfied by using the benzyl half ester [181a]. 

Of interest is the fact that one of the coupling partners in the looplure synthesis was the half acid-half ester (59). Since the ester was untouched in the coelectrolysis, it could potentially function as a site for a second Kolbe oxidation and subsequent coupling. This strategy was utilized in the synthesis of disparlure (67 Scheme 16) [36]. A mixed coupling between the half-acid ester (62) and nonanoic acid (63) (1 10 ratio) proceeded smoothly to afford (64). Saponification... 

Today the coupled product is described as being formed by union of two alkyl radicals fonned by loss of one electron and carbon dioxide from the carboxylate ion. Extensive early use of the Kolbe reaction was made for the synthesis of long chain a,co-dicarboxylate esters starting from the half esters of shorter chain a,03-diacids [49]. 

Of interest is the fact that one of the coupling partners in the looplure synthesis was the half acid, half ester 27. Since the ester unit is untouched in the coelectrolysis, it could potentially function as a site for a second Kolbe oxidation and subsequent coupling... 

The new 23-hydroxy-epimers of cholesterol have been prepared by boro-hydride reduction of the 23-ketone, and Grignard reactions on the cyanohydrin of pregnenolone acetate have been used to prepare both epimers of 20a,22-dihydroxycholesterol. Using optically pure half-esters of methyl succinic acid in Kolbe electrolytic coupling reactions with various bile acids the corresponding 25-d- and 25-L-cholestanoic acids have been prepared. ... 

A full report has been published on the preparation and synthetic applications of the acetylenic dianions (35) of note here is their use in the preparation of allene-l,3-dicarboxylic acids (36). Kolbe co-electrolysis of 5-alkynoic adds, RC=C(CH2)3C02H, with half-esters of diadds Me02C(CH2) C02H followed by saponification gives the coupled product (37) in 45—50% yield. Alternative conditions have been reported for the preparation of oi-acetylenic acids from o>-iodoacids (esp. from fatty acids) using the lithium acetylide-ethylenediamine complex in HMPA. ... 

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