Synthesis of N-aryl and N-alkyl anthranilic acids via S(N)Ar reaction of unprotected 2-fluoro- and 2-methoxybenzoic acids by lithioamides.

Substitution of the fluoro or methoxy group in unprotected 2-fluoro- and 2-methoxybenzoic acids to afford N-aryl and N-alkyl anthranilic acids occurs upon reaction with lithioamides under mild conditions in the absence of a metal catalyst.

First general, direct, and regioselective synthesis of substituted methoxybenzoic acids by ortho metalation.

New general methodology of value in aromatic chemistry based on ortho-metalation sites in o-, m-, and p-anisic acids (1-3) (Scheme 1) is described. The metalation can be selectively directed to either of the ortho positions by varying the base, metalation temperature, and exposure times. Metalation of o-anisic acid (1) with s-BuLi/TMEDA in THF at -78 degrees C occurs exclusively in the position adjacente to the carboxylate.

Directed ortho-metalation of unprotected benzoic acids. Methodology and regioselective synthesis of useful contiguously 3- and 6-substituted 2-methoxybenzoic acid building blocks.

[reaction: see text] By treatment with s-BuLi/TMEDA at -78 degrees C, unprotected 2-methoxybenzoic acid is deprotonated exclusively in the position ortho to the carboxylate. A reversal of regioselectivity is observed when the acid is treated with n-BuLi/t-BuOK. These results are of general utility for the one-pot preparation of a variety of very simple 3- and 6-substituted 2-methoxybenzoic acids that are not easily accessible by conventional means.

Toward a better understanding on the mechanism of ortholithiation. Tuning of selectivities in the metalation of meta-anisic acid by an appropriate choice of base.

[reaction: see text] If employed in THF at 0 degrees C, LTMP metalates meta-anisic acid at the doubly activated position. In contrast, n-BuLi/t-BuOK deprotonates position C-4 preferentially at low temperature. Functionalization at C-6 requires protection of the C-2 site beforehand.

Evidence for the intermediacy of arylbenzylnitrenium ions in the thermal rearrangement of isoxazolidines derived from C,N-diarylnitrones and 2-morpholin-4-yl-acrylonitrile.

In contrast to the diaryl, dialkyl, alkylaryl, and parent series, nothing is known about the generation and chemical behavior of arylbenzylnitrenium ions. Herein, we report that these species can be generated by a process involving an unprecedented thermal rearrangement of isoxazolidines derived from C,N-diarylnitrones and 2-morpholin-4-yl-acrylonitrile. The products from these reactions are dramatically dependent upon the nature of the nitrone.