Catalytic version of the Mitsunobu reaction

ORGN 57

Patrick H. Toy, phtoy@hku.hk and Tracy Yuen Sze But, h0116074@hkusua.hku.hk. Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
A catalytic Mitsunobu reaction system has been developed in which the azo reagent is used as an organocatalyst and iodosobenzene diacetate is used as the stoichiometric oxidant. In this system iodosobenzene diacetate oxidizes the formed hydrazine byproduct to regenerate the azo reagent. Yields obtained in the catalytic reactions using a variety of carboxylic acids and alcohols were slightly lower than those obtained from corresponding stoichiometric reactions. Both primary and secondary alcohols can be used as substrates in this reaction system, with the secondary alcohols affording products with inverted stereochemistry at the carbinol center.
 

New Reactions and Methodology
1:30 PM-5:10 PM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 McCormick Place Lakeside -- Room E351, Level 3, Oral

Division of Organic Chemistry

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007