Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Preparation and Use of Carbonyl-decorated Carbenes in the Activation of White Phosphorus
Published on: October 3, 2014
Nucleophilic β-Carbon Activation of Propionic Acid as a 3-Carbon Synthon by Carbene Organocatalysis
Zhichao Jin1, Ke Jiang2, Zhenqian Fu1
1Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371 (Singapore).
Abstract:
Direct β-carbon activation of propionic acid (C2H5CO2H) by carbene organocatalysis has been developed. This activation affords the smallest azolium homoenolate intermediate (without any substituent) as a 3-carbon nucleophile for enantioselective reactions. Propionic acid is an excellent raw material because it is cheap, stable, and safe. This approach provides a much better solution to azolium homoenolate synthesis than the previously established use of acrolein (enal without any substituent), which is expensive, unstable, and toxic.
Related Concept Videos
α-Alkylation of Ketones via Enolate Ions
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Reactions of Carboxylic Acids: Introduction
Nucleophilic Addition to the Carbonyl Group: General Mechanism
A stronger nucleophile can directly attack the electrophilic center, the carbonyl carbon. The HOMO orbital of the nucleophile interacts with the LUMO (π* antibonding) orbital present on the carbonyl carbon. This interaction breaks the π bond and shifts the π...
Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones: Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation
The carbonyl center is activated by...
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration

