Synthesis of aryl α-keto acids by oxidation of aryl ketones

Abstract

This dissertation describes the method of preparation of α-aryl keto acids which are used as acylating reagents in organic synthesis. The aryl α-keto acids were synthesized from Acetophenone derivatives since they are inexpensive and are easily available. Keto acids act as acylating agents to deliver a carbonyl group into organic molecules via the decarboxylative coupling. Decarboxylative cross-coupling of α-keto acids has been established as a promising method of introducing a carbonyl group into a wide range of chemical compounds. In terms of mechanism, two possible reaction pathways involving an acyl metal species (RCO-M) or a free acyl radical intermediate (RCO•) are proposed for the decarboxylation process.