Synthesis 2012; 44(14): 2225-2230
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1289773
paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of Homotaurine and 1-Substituted Homotaurines from α,β-Unsaturated Nitriles

Yunhai Ma
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(10)64435565   Email: jxxu@mail.buct.edu.cn
,
Jiaxi Xu*
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(10)64435565   Email: jxxu@mail.buct.edu.cn
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Publication History

Received: 03 April 2012

Accepted after revision: 02 May 2012

Publication Date:
13 June 2012 (online)


Abstract

Homotaurine and a series of 1-substituted homotaurines were readily synthesized in satisfactory to good yields via the Michael­ addition of thioacetic acid to aliphatic and aromatic α,β-unsaturated nitriles followed by lithium aluminum hydride mediated reduction and performic acid oxidation. The synthesis of 1,1-disubstituted homotaurines was attempted with β,β-disubstituted acrylonitriles as starting materials but failed due to steric hindrance. The current process is an efficient method for the synthesis of 1-substituted homotaurines.

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