Acid–base-sensitive allylic oxidation of 2-allylbenzoic acids to form phthalides?

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Pub Date: 2020-03-23 DOI: 10.1039/D0OB00303D

Abstract

Allylic oxidation of 2-allylbenzoic acids to phthalides, instead of Wacker-type isocoumarins, was achieved with 1,2-bis(phenylsulfinyl)ethane palladium(II) acetate (White catalyst) and oxygen in DMSO. The selective formation of 3-ethylidenephthalides or 3-vinylphthalides was controlled by the addition of acids or bases, and the reaction conditions were applied to substituted 2-allylbenzoic acids to generate corresponding phthalides selectively. Mechanistic studies, including the corresponding reaction of (E)-2-(1-propenyl)benzoic acid to 3-methylisocoumarin, isomerization reaction of 3-vinylphthalide to 3-ethylidenephthalide, and the kinetic isotope effect using 2-(1,1-d2-allyl)benzoic acid, revealed the competition between Wacker-type oxidation and allylic C–H cleavage, which is the key step to generating phthalides. A natural product, 3-ethyl-6-hydroxyphthalide, was prepared by this method.

Graphical abstract: Acid–base-sensitive allylic oxidation of 2-allylbenzoic acids to form phthalides
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