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Reinventing the Corey-Fuchs Reaction under Ball Milling Conditions: A Mechanochemical Pathway to Bromoalkynes
Barbara Kaczmarek1, Ireneusz Kownacki1,2, Dawid Frąckowiak2
1Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
The Corey-Fuchs reaction is adapted for solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis using ball-milling. This greener approach efficiently produces bromoalkynes from aldehydes, offering improved sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Green Chemistry
- Mechanochemistry
Background:
- The Corey-Fuchs reaction is a key method for converting aldehydes to terminal alkynes.
- Classical conditions often require harsh reagents and solvents, impacting sustainability.
- Mechanochemistry offers a solvent-free alternative for organic transformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt the Corey-Fuchs reaction to mechanochemical conditions.
- To develop a greener, more sustainable synthesis of alkyne derivatives.
- To investigate the influence of mechanochemical parameters on reaction outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Solvent-free ball-milling for two sequential reaction steps.
- Step 1: Formation of gem-dibromoalkenes from aldehydes using reduced triphenylphosphine.
- Step 2: Base-promoted dehydrohalogenation of gem-dibromoalkenes.
Main Results:
- Successful adaptation of the Corey-Fuchs reaction to mechanochemistry.
- Unexpected formation of bromoalkynes instead of terminal alkynes.
- High conversions and short reaction times achieved under solvent-free conditions.
- Improved Process Mass Intensity (PMI) and E-factor, indicating enhanced sustainability.
- Reaction efficiency and selectivity are governed by substrate electronics and milling parameters.
Conclusions:
- The stepwise mechanochemical Corey-Fuchs reaction provides an efficient and sustainable route to bromoalkynes.
- This work expands the scope of mechanochemistry for phosphorus-mediated organic synthesis.
- Optimized milling parameters and substrate choice are crucial for maximizing yield and selectivity.
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Preparation of Alkynes: Dehydrohalogenation
Alkynes can be prepared by dehydrohalogenation of vicinal or geminal dihalides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide in liquid ammonia. The reaction proceeds with the loss of two equivalents of hydrogen halide (HX) via two successive E2 elimination reactions.