S. Fretz, C. Hadad, D. Hart
Jan 4, 2013
Citations
0
Influential Citations
6
Citations
Journal
The Journal of organic chemistry
Abstract
Birch reductive alkylation of methyl m-(hydroxymethyl)benzoate derivatives, using lithium in ammonia-tetrahydrofuran in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, can be achieved without significant loss of benzylic oxygen substituents. Similar treatment of o- and p-(hydroxymethyl)benzoate derivatives results largely in loss of benzylic oxygen substituents. The results are rationalized by computations describing electron density patterns in the putative radical anion intermediate involved in these reactions.