Abstract
A metal-free protocol for decarboxylation of substituted α-phenylcinnamic acid derivatives in aqueous media is developed, wherein a remarkable synergism between methylimidazole and aq NaHCO3 in polyethylene glycol under microwave furnished the corresponding para/ortho hydroxylated (E)-stilbenes in a mild and efficient manner. The critical role of water in facilitating the decarboxylation imparts an interesting facet to the synthetic utility of water mediated organic transformations. The developed protocol provides a clean alternative to the hitherto indispensable multistep approaches involving toxic quinoline and a copper salt combination as the common decarboxylating agent.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 7640-7646 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Tetrahedron |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 32 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 6 Aug 2007 |
Keywords
- (E)-Stilbenes
- Decarboxylation
- Methylimidazole
- Water chemistry
- α-Phenylcinnamic acids