In an extension of our previous investigations on the ruthenium(II) Schiff-base chemistry, complexes 1, 2, 3a-b and 4a-b were synthesized and tested as catalyst for the nucleophilic addition of carboxylic acids to terminal alkynes. A careful choice of the catalytic system, substrate and carboxylic acid can provide alk-1-en-2-yl esters, alk-1-en-1-yl esters synthesis or enyne dimerization. In this way substituted isopropenol and α-methylenebenzyl formates, (geminal, geminal) dienol diesters were synthesized in one step by direct addition of formic acid or benzoic acid to terminal mono- and di-ynes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Opstal et al. (2002) studied this question.