Efficient and Versatile Synthesis of 3-substituted Glutaric Acids

Abstract

An efficient and versatile route to the synthesis of both aromatic and aliphatic 3-subsitituted glutaric acids from the corresponding aldehydes is described by converting the aldehydes to the 2-substituted tetraethyl propane tetracarboxylates through a Knoevenegel condensation followed by Michael addition. The resultant dimalonate are then made to undergo acid hydrolysis and decarboxylation in one pot reaction to obtain the corresponding glutaric acids in moderate yields (50 – 73%).

Keywords: Decarboxylation, Dimalonate, Glutaric acids, Knoevenegel condensation, Michael addition