Pyridines, 1-oxides—continued

Jacobsen (1999) has carried out carbomethoxylation of asymmetric epoxides. Thus, the carbomethoxylation of (R)-propylene oxide with CO and methanol yields 92% of (3R)-hydroxybutanoic acid in greater than 99% ee. Similarly, the reaction of (/ )-epichlorohydrin gives 96% of 4-chloro-(3R)-hydroxybutanoic acid in greater than 99% ee. The catalyst consists of dicobalt octacarbonyl and 3-hydroxy pyridine. A continuous process for making enantiomeric 1-chloro-2-propanol has been suggested. With a suitable catalyst propylene reacts with O2, water, cupric and lithium chloride to give 78% of (S)-l-chloro-2-propanol in 94% ee. 

In the production of 4,4 -bipyridyl from pyridine, the reaction between pyridine and metallic. sodium in liquid ammonia is involved, followed by oxidation. By adopting a continuous reactor, the process has been made safer and yields have probably improved. For a hazardous chemical like diazomethane, even at a capacity of 60 tpa a continous plant has been adopted. 

Examples of nitrogen-containing heterocycle syntheses based on condensation reactions continue to be forthcoming. Examples include a tandem oxidation-annulation of propargyl alcohols in a one-pot synthesis of pyridines (Equation 148) <2003SL1443>, trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridines (Scheme 94) <2003S1531>, and standard malononitrile additions to a,/3-unsaturated ketones <1995JCM392>. 

Addition of a base (pyridine or methoxyethylamine), which can mix with the continuous phase to the cyclohexane-salt miniemulsion under stirring, provides reaction to oxides and hydroxides, e.g., from iron(III) chloride hexahydrate to iron(III) oxide. Here the crystal water steps into the reaction, while pyridine from the continuous phase neutralizes the eliminated HCl. Obviously, the interface area of the miniemulsion is high enough in order to allow this reaction. 

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