Chemoselective C-benzoylation of phenols by using AlCl3 under solvent-free conditions

Substituted phenols were chemo-selectively reacted with benzoylchloride in presence of aluminum chloride under solvent-free condition to afford the corresponding 2'-hydroxy aryl benzophenones in excellent yields (72-96%). Naphthol benzoylation resulted in lower yields as compared to phenols. Both reactions completed in 5-10 min with quantitative yields providing excellent control over regioselectivity of products. KEY WORDS: Chemoselective C-acylation, F-C reaction, Fries rearrangement Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2015, 29(2), 319-325DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v29i2.1

A convenient method for lactonization of α-allyl esters using iodine in dimethyl- sulphoxide

A simple method for the synthesis of α-γ-disubstituted-γ-butyrolactones by cyclization of α-allyl esters using iodine in dimethylsulphoxide is reported. This method is efficient and operationally simple in comparison to methods using transition metal complexes. KEY WORDS: γ-Butyrolactones, α-Allyl esters, Iodine, Dimethyl sulphoxide Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(3), 469-473.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i3.1