Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Preparation of N-2-alkoxyvinylsulfonamides from N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles and Subsequent Conversion to Substituted Phthalans and Phenethylamines
Published on: January 3, 2018
Synthesis of Tetra-Substituted 3-Hydroxyphthalide Esters by Isothiourea-Catalysed Acylative Dynamic Kinetic
Shubham K Agrawal1, Pankaj K Majhi1, Alister S Goodfellow1
1EaStCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK.
Abstract:
A general and highly enantioselective method for the preparation of tetra-substituted 3-hydroxyphthalide esters via isothiourea-catalysed acylative dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) is reported. Using (2S,3R)-HyperBTM (5 mol %) as the catalyst, the scope and limitations of this methodology have been extensively probed, with high enantioselectivity and good to excellent yields observed (>40 examples, up to 99 %, 99 : 1 er). Substitution of the aromatic core within the 3-hydroxyphthalide skeleton, as well as aliphatic and aromatic substitution at C(3), is readily tolerated. A diverse range of anhydrides, including those from bioactive and pharmaceutically relevant acids, can also be used. The high enantioselectivity observed in this DKR process has been probed computationally, with a key substrate heteroatom donor O⋅⋅⋅acyl-isothiouronium interaction identified through DFT analysis as necessary for enantiodiscrimination.
Related Concept Videos
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Acid Halides to Esters: Alcoholysis
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
α-Hydroxy Ketones via Reductive Coupling of Esters: Acyloin Condensation Overview
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic...

