Quinoline—copper carbonate decarboxylation reaction

A carboxyl group is removed from a heterocyclic nucleus in much the same way as from an aromatic nucleus (method 13), i.e., by thermal decomposition. The pyrolysis is catalyzed by copper or copper salts and is frequently carried out in quinoline solution. The reaction is important in the synthesis of various alkyl and halo furans. Furoic acid loses carbon dioxide at its boiling point (205°) to give furan (85%). A series of halo furans have been made in 20-97% yields by pyrolysis of the corresponding halofuroic acids. The 5-iodo acid decarboxylates at a temperature of 140°, whereas the 3- and 5-chloro acids requite copper-bronze catalyst at 250°. ... 

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