The Effect of Directing Groups on the Rate of Rhodium-Catalyzed Decarbonylation Reactions

Abstract

Carbon-carbon bonds are difficult to activate due to the lack of flexibility of the sigma bonds and steric hindrance which contribute to the stability of the bond. However, the addition of a rhodium catalyst allows for decarbonylation of aryl ketones via carbon-carbon single bond activation. The decarbonylation process is essential to determine the effectiveness of the directing group. Herein, we describe the synthetic pathways for the starting materials, as well as the effects of various nitrogen containing directing groups on the rate of decarbonylation