Chemistry:Tscherniak-Einhorn reaction

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The Tscherniak-Einhorn reaction is an organic chemistry name reaction initiated in 1901 by Joseph Tscherniak. It involves the condensation of N- hydroxymethylphthalimide with varied aromatic compounds. This process was later expanded upon in 1905 by Alfred Einhorn to include the condensation of N- hydroxymethylchloroacetamide and benzoic or cinnamic acid.[1][2]

Overview of reaction

This reaction entails an acid-catalyzed Electrophilic aromatic substitution amidoalkylation, utilizing an N-hydroxymethylamide or N-hydroxymethylimide, which are also known as the Tscherniak-Einhorn reagents. The reaction is catalyzed by potent acids such as 85-100% sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, or trifluoroacetic acid.[2]

centered

N-hydroxymethylamides may be prepared by the condensation of corresponding amides with an aqueous formaldehyde solution in dioxane, in the presence of sodium hydroxide.[3]

Reaction mechanism

In the first step, the N-hydroxymethylamide is subject to acid protonation. Post water elimination, a mesomerically stabilized cation forms. This reacts with the aromatic compound in line with an electrophilic aromatic substitution process.[2]

centered

Applications

The Tscherniak-Einhorn reaction is used to synthesize some alkaloid derivatives.[2]

Literature

  • Harold E. Zaugg, Ann M. Kotre, Jean E. Fraser (January 1969), "Tscherniac-Einhorn reaction. I. Equilibria in solutions of N-(hydroxymethyl)phthalimide in strong sulfuric acid" (in en), The Journal of Organic Chemistry 34 (1): 11–13, doi:10.1021/jo00838a004 
  • Harold E. Zaugg, Robert W. DeNet, Jean E. Fraser, Ann M. Kotre (January 1969), "Tscherniac-Einhorn reaction. II. Kinetics and mechanism" (in en), The Journal of Organic Chemistry 34 (1): 14–18, doi:10.1021/jo00838a005 

References

  1. Alfred Einhorn, Eduard Bischkopff, Bruno Szelinski, Gustav Schupp, Eduard Spröngerts, Carl Ladisch, Theodor Mauermayer (1905), "Ueber die N-Methylolverbindungen der Säureamide [Erste Abhandlung.]", Justus Liebig's Annalen der Chemie 343 (2–3): 207, doi:10.1002/jlac.19053430207 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Tscherniac-Einhorn Reaction", Comprehensive Organic Name Reactions and Reagents (Wiley): 2807–2811, 2010, doi:10.1002/9780470638859.conrr629, ISBN 978-0-470-63885-9 
  3. "Tscherniac-Einhorn-Reaktion". illumina-chemie.de. 2013-05-11. https://illumina-chemie.de/tscherniac-einhorn-reaktion-t3492.html.