Synthesis 2012; 44(9): 1417-1426
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1289755
paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Highly Efficient Copper-Catalyzed Method for the Synthesis of 2-Hydroxybenzamides in Water

Shah Jaimin Balkrishna
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal 462023, MP, India , Fax: +91(755)409 2392   Email: SangitKumar@iiserbhopal.ac.in
,
Sangit Kumar*
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal 462023, MP, India , Fax: +91(755)409 2392   Email: SangitKumar@iiserbhopal.ac.in
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Received: 19 December 2011

Accepted after revision: 19 March 2012

Publication Date:
12 April 2012 (online)


Abstract

An efficient copper-catalyzed synthetic method for the preparation of 2-hydroxybenzamides is described for the first time from 2-chlorobenzamide substrates using copper iodide/1,10-phenanthroline and a base, potassium hydroxide, in neat water. By using this reaction, a series of 2-hydroxybenzamides with functional groups such as fluoro, chloro, iodo, methoxy, amide, and alcohol have been obtained in 33–96% yield. Other aromatic 2-chloroarylamides such as naphthalene, pyridine, and thiophene are found to be equally compatible to the reaction. It is proposed that the reaction proceed via formation of copper-amide complex, which may facilitate the hydroxylation in water. Overall, the first report on copper-catalyzed hydroxylation reaction in water and first catalytic route for the synthesis of 2-hydroxybenzamides is presented. Simple purification procedure and convenience of employing low-cost reagents in neat water make this method practical and economical for the synthesis of 2-hydroxybenzamides.

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