An ionic liquid catalyzed probase method for one-pot synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters from esters and aldehydes under mild conditions?

Green Chemistry Pub Date: 2017-09-04 DOI: 10.1039/C7GC02265D

Abstract

A one-pot synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters from unactivated esters and aldehydes using strong bases, such as sodium alkoxide and potassium tert-butoxide, was reported. However, the ionic liquid (IL) catalyzed probase method for producing α,β-unsaturated esters was not reported until now. In this work, a series of ILs with fluoride anions were firstly prepared and used as catalysts in combination with the probase N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) acetamide (BSA) for the α,β-unsaturated esters synthesis. This process could also be promoted through the introduction of another IL with Lewis acid sites. The yield and selectivity of the product could reach up to 84.2% and 95.0%, respectively, when [Bmim]F was used in combination with [Bmim]Cl/AlCl3 (the molar fraction of AlCl3 is 0.67). The mechanism investigation through GC-MS indicates that BSA would convert into onium amide, which acted as a strong base for α-H abstraction, with the catalysis of [Bmim]F. Meanwhile, [Bmim]Cl/AlCl3 played an important role in the condensation step between enolates and aldehydes. On the basis of mechanism insights, kinetic and thermodynamic studies were also carried out for a better understanding of this new route.

Graphical abstract: An ionic liquid catalyzed probase method for one-pot synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters from esters and aldehydes under mild conditions
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