Synthesis of Diaryl Hydroxyl Dicarboxylic Acids from Amino Acids

J Org Chem. 2020 May 1;85(9):5799-5806. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b03320. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Abstract

Herein we report a unique method for preparing diaryl hydroxyl dicarboxylic acids in a diastereospecific manner. The three-component reaction occurs between amino acid, aromatic aldehyde, and primary alcohol in alkaline solutions under microwave-assisted conditions. The dicarboxylic acids are isolated as sodium salts in high yields (up to 77%) by direct precipitation from the reaction solution. The experimental results suggest that the diastereospecificity originates from a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement followed by a sodium-assisted hydride transfer. As further shown, the previously unreported dicarboxylic acids are easily turned into corresponding δ-lactones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't