Hexane → 3-Decynoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To 6.8 g (70 mmol) of 3-butynoic acid dissolved in 150 ml of 1:1 tetrahydrofuran (THF):hexamethyl phosphoric triamide (HMPA) and cooled to -20° C. is added via syringe a solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane (1.6N, 2 equiv). The mixture was allowed to warm to 0° C. The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at this temperature and then 150 g (1.1 equiv) of 1-iodohexane is added dropwise as a solution in 20 ml of THF. The mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature and then is partitioned between ether and water. The aqueous layer is acidified with 3N H2SO4 and extracted with ether. The combined organic extracts are washed with brine and dried (Na2SO4). Evaporation of the volatiles in vacuo and chromatography of the crude on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane/acetic acid; 10:90:0.1) affords 4.5 g of pure 3-decynoic acid.

Provenance & Evidence