Annulation made easy
Chinese scientists report a new and economical route to polycyclic aromatic compounds
Jin-Heng Li and co-workers from Hunan Normal University and Wenzhou University have developed an iron-catalysed intramolecular annulation route to the synthesis of naphthalen-1-ol and anthracen-1-ol core structures. Li believes that this new atom-economical method will provide a potential route to designing the achiral/chiral hydroxy-containing ligands. Surprisingly, the iron catalyst is the commercially available iron trichloride (FeCl3) which is cheap and affordable. Li explains that this reaction presents the first example of an intramolecular annulation reaction of an alkyne with a carbon nucleophile for the synthesis of substituted naphthalenol and anthracenol structures.
Transition metal-catalysed annulation reactions have previously been reported but suffer from several disadvantages such as harsh conditions, inaccessible substrates and sometimes expensive catalysts. The route developed by Li and co-workers is more atom economical overall, and uses a cheap iron-catalyst and starting materials that are easily prepared.
Li believes the mechanism of this reaction involves a Diels-Alder process, but points out that this will be the next challenge for chemists in this field; trapping the iron intermediates of the reaction in order to define the mechanism of the process.
Original publication: Zhi-Qiang Wang, Chem. Commun., 2009.
Other news from the department science
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
