Rate accelerations in ammonium molybdate-mediated Hunsdiecker reaction with α,β- unsaturated aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids

ORGN 110

K.C. Rajanna, kcrajanna@rediffmail.com and N. Maasi Reddy, nmreddy408@rediffmail.com. Department of Chemistry, Osmania University P.G. College, Mirzapur, Osmania University, Mirzapur(B),Medak(Dist), 502249, India
An economically cheap, environmentally safe Hunsdiecker reaction has been carried out efficiently with α,β-unsaturated aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids by using N-halo succinimides such as N- chloro succinimide (NCS), N-bromo succinimide (NBS) and N-iodo succinimide (NIS) using milli molar concentrations of ammonium molybdate as a catalyst. The reactions are dramatically accelerated under stirred conditions at room temperature. At reflux temperatures the yield of reaction products were further enhanced from good to excellent. The reaction with á, â-unsaturated aromatic carboxylic acids afforded â-halo styrenes in excellent yield while á,â-unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids underwent decarboxylation and to give corresponding halo derivatives. Reaction products were analyzed by spectroscopic methods