Oxidative dimerization experimental procedure

In preparation for scale-up of the strigol synthesis described by Sih (8), efforts were made to improve the yield of some of the seven steps involved in the scheme. Of these steps, nine are satisfactory from the standpoint of yield and experimental conditions. For three of the steps, we have improved the yield and/or experimental conditions such that the yield of (+ )-strigol would be raised to 2.85% overall from citral rather than 1.53% based on Sih s procedure and reported yields. Improvements were developed preparation of a-cyclocitral (III), the oxidation of the hydroxyaldehyde (V) to the ketoacid (VII), and for the preparation of the hydroxybutenolide (XVII). For the remaining five steps, our attempts to change experimental conditions have failed to improve, and in most cases to even obtain, the yields reported in the literature (8). We have considered the preparation of strigol analogs and determined the conditions and limitations for the preparation of a series of alkoxybutenolides (XVI) and a butenolide dimer (XVIII). Modification of the literature procedure (11) to eliminate the use of the mesylate (XX) and the use of polar aprotic solvents gave better yields of the 2-RAS (XXI). 

A) (23), was obtained in an improved yield using the modified literature procedure (28) starting from benzene diazonium chloride (1054) and hydroxymethylene-5-methylcyclohexanone (1055). A biomimetic coupling of l-hydroxy-3-methylcarba-zole (O-demethylmurrayafoline A) (23) by reaction with di-ferf-butyl peroxide l(t-BuO)2] afforded the dimer of O-demethylmurrayafoline A (204). Finally, oxidation of 204 with PCC afforded (+ )-bismurrayaquinone-A (215). The resolution of atropo-enantiomers was achieved by chiral HPLC using Chiracel OF. The assignment of the absolute configuration of the two enantiomers (S)-215 and (f )-215 was achieved by comparison of their theoretical and experimental circular dichroism (CD) spectra (166,167,661) (Scheme 5.164). 

To reveal the complete reaction mechanism, the reaction was investigated at lower temperatures. The product ion mass spectrum recorded at 100 K with O2 and CO in the ion trap (Fig. 1.63b) shows the appearance of the coadsorption complex Au2(C0)02 discussed above. This complex represents a key intermediate in the reaction mechanism of the catalytic oxidation of CO to CO2 as has been predicted in the earlier theoretical study [382]. The experimental evidence obtained so far demonstrates that O2 adsorption is likely to be the first step in the observed reaction mechanism. Subsequent CO coadsorption yields the observed intermediate (Fig. 1.63b) and finally the bare gold dimer ion must be reformed. The further strategy to reveal the full reaction mechanism consists in varying the available experimental parameters, i.e., reaction temperature and reactant partial pressures. This procedure leads to a series of kinetic traces similar to the one shown in Fig. 1.64b and c [33]. The goal then is to find one reaction mechanism that is able to fit all experimental kinetic data obtained under the various reaction conditions. This kinetic... 

In summary, the following experimental conditions should be used for a successful dimerization of carboxylic acids. An undivided beaker type cell (Fig. 2) is used, equipped with a smooth platinum anode and a platinum, steel or nickel cathode at a close distance a current density of 0.25 A cm or higher should be provided by a regulated power supply a slightly acidic or neutral electrolyte, preferably methanol as solvent and a cooling device to maintain temperatures between 10 and 45 °C should be employed. With this simple procedure and equipment, yields of coupling product as high as 90% can be obtained, provided the intermediate radical is not easily further oxidized. 

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