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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Protocol for the Synthesis of Ortho-trifluoromethoxylated Aniline Derivatives
Published on: January 19, 2016
First general, direct, and regioselective synthesis of substituted methoxybenzoic acids by ortho metalation
Thi-Huu Nguyen1, Nguyet Trang Thanh Chau, Anne-Sophie Castanet
1Université du Maine and CNRS, Unité de chimie organique moléculaire et macromoléculaire (UMR 6011), Faculté des sciences, avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9, France.
Abstract:
New general methodology of value in aromatic chemistry based on ortho-metalation sites in o-, m-, and p-anisic acids (1-3) (Scheme 1) is described. The metalation can be selectively directed to either of the ortho positions by varying the base, metalation temperature, and exposure times. Metalation of o-anisic acid (1) with s-BuLi/TMEDA in THF at -78 degrees C occurs exclusively in the position adjacente to the carboxylate. On the other hand, a reversal of regioselectivity is observed with n-BuLi/t-BuOK. With LTMP at 0 degrees C, the two directors of m-anisic acid (2) function in concert to direct introduction of the metal between them while n-BuLi/t-BuOK removes preferentially the proton located ortho to the methoxy and para to the carboxylate (H-4). s-BuLi/TMEDA reacts with p-anisic acid (3) exclusively in the vicinity of the carboxylate. According to these methodologies, routes to very simple methoxybenzoic acids with a variety of functionalities that are not easily accessible by other means have been developed (Table 1).
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