Enol ether

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The structure of a typical enol ether group Enol ether.png
The structure of a typical enol ether group
Enamines are chemically related to enol ethers. Enamine-2D-skeletal.png
Enamines are chemically related to enol ethers.

In organic chemistry an enol ether is an alkene with an alkoxy substituent. [1] The general structure is R2C=CR-OR where R = H, alkyl or aryl. A common subfamily of enol ethers are vinyl ethers, with the formula ROCH=CH2. Important enol ethers include the reagent 3,4-dihydropyran and the monomers methyl vinyl ether and ethyl vinyl ether.

Contents

Reactions and uses

Akin to enamines, enol ethers are electron-rich alkenes by virtue of the electron-donation from the heteroatom via pi-bonding. Enol ethers have oxonium ion character. By virtue of their bonding situation, enol ethers display distinctive reactivity. In comparison with simple alkenes, enol ethers exhibit enhanced susceptibility to attack by electrophiles such as Bronsted acids. Similarly, they undergo inverse demand Diels-Alder reactions. [2]

EnolEthResStr.png

The reactivity of enol ethers is highly dependent on the presence of substituents alpha to oxygen. The vinyl ethers are susceptible to polymerization to give polyvinyl ethers. [3] They also react readily with thiols in the thiol-ene reaction to form thioethers. This makes enol ether-functionalized monomers ideal for polymerization with thiol-based monomers to form thiol-ene networks. [4]

Some vinyl ethers find some use as inhalation anesthetics. Enol ethers bearing α substituents do not polymerize readily. They are mainly of academic interest, e.g. as intermediates in the synthesis of more complex molecules.

The acid-catalyzed addition of hydrogen peroxide to vinyl ethers gives the hydroperoxide: [5]

C2H5OCH=CH2 + H2O2 → C2H5OCH(OOH)CH3

Nazi Germany used vinyl ether mixtures as rocket propellants during WWII, because their hypergolic combustion with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids is relatively insensitive to temperature. [6] :16

Preparation

Vinyl ethers can be prepared from alcohols by iridium-catalyzed transesterification of vinyl esters, especially the widely available vinyl acetate: [7]

ROH + CH2=CHOAc → ROCH=CH2 + HOAc

Vinyl ethers can be prepared by reaction of acetylene and alcohols in presence of a base. [8]

Although enol ethers can be considered the ether of the corresponding enolates, they are not prepared by alkylation of enolates. Some enol ethers are prepared from saturated ethers by elimination reactions. [9]

Ethyl vinyl ether is a potent anesthetic. Ethyl vinylether.svg
Ethyl vinyl ether is a potent anesthetic.

Occurrence in nature

A prominent enol ether is phosphoenol pyruvate. [10]

The enzyme chorismate mutase catalyzes the Claisen rearrangement of the enol ether called chorismate to prephenate, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine and tyrosine. [11]

Chorismate mutase catalyzes a Claisen rearrangement Chorismate Mutase Scheme.png
Chorismate mutase catalyzes a Claisen rearrangement

Batyl alcohol and related glycyl ethers are susceptible to dehydrogenation catalyzed unsaturases to give the vinyl ethers called plasmalogens: [12]

HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OC18H37 + [O] → HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH=CHC16H35 + H2O
General structure of strigolactones, a family of plant hormones. Strigolactones general chemical structure.png
General structure of strigolactones, a family of plant hormones.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alkyne</span> Hydrocarbon compound containing one or more C≡C bonds

In organic chemistry, an alkyne is an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least one carbon—carbon triple bond. The simplest acyclic alkynes with only one triple bond and no other functional groups form a homologous series with the general chemical formula CnH2n−2. Alkynes are traditionally known as acetylenes, although the name acetylene also refers specifically to C2H2, known formally as ethyne using IUPAC nomenclature. Like other hydrocarbons, alkynes are generally hydrophobic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ether</span> Organic compounds made of alkyl/aryl groups bound to oxygen (R–O–R)

In organic chemistry, ethers are a class of compounds that contain an ether group—an oxygen atom bonded to two organyl groups. They have the general formula R−O−R′, where R and R′ represent the organyl groups. Ethers can again be classified into two varieties: if the organyl groups are the same on both sides of the oxygen atom, then it is a simple or symmetrical ether, whereas if they are different, the ethers are called mixed or unsymmetrical ethers. A typical example of the first group is the solvent and anaesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether". Ethers are common in organic chemistry and even more prevalent in biochemistry, as they are common linkages in carbohydrates and lignin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ester</span> Compound derived from an acid

In chemistry, an ester is a functional group derived from an acid in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group of that acid is replaced by an organyl group. Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well. According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well, but not according to the IUPAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ketone</span> Organic compounds of the form >C=O

In organic chemistry, a ketone is an organic compound with the structure R−C(=O)−R', where R and R' can be a variety of carbon-containing substituents. Ketones contain a carbonyl group −C(=O)−. The simplest ketone is acetone, with the formula (CH3)2CO. Many ketones are of great importance in biology and industry. Examples include many sugars (ketoses), many steroids, and the solvent acetone.

Transesterification is the process of exchanging the organic functional group R″ of an ester with the organic group R' of an alcohol. These reactions are often catalyzed by the addition of an acid or base catalyst. Strong acids catalyze the reaction by donating a proton to the carbonyl group, thus making it a more potent electrophile. Bases catalyze the reaction by removing a proton from the alcohol, thus making it more nucleophilic. The reaction can also be accomplished with the help of enzymes, particularly lipases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epoxide</span> Organic compounds with a carbon-carbon-oxygen ring

In organic chemistry, an epoxide is a cyclic ether, where the ether forms a three-atom ring: two atoms of carbon and one atom of oxygen. This triangular structure has substantial ring strain, making epoxides highly reactive, more so than other ethers. They are produced on a large scale for many applications. In general, low molecular weight epoxides are colourless and nonpolar, and often volatile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicarbonyl</span> Molecule containing two adjacent C=O groups

In organic chemistry, a dicarbonyl is a molecule containing two carbonyl groups. Although this term could refer to any organic compound containing two carbonyl groups, it is used more specifically to describe molecules in which both carbonyls are in close enough proximity that their reactivity is changed, such as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dicarbonyls. Their properties often differ from those of monocarbonyls, and so they are usually considered functional groups of their own. These compounds can have symmetrical or unsymmetrical substituents on each carbonyl, and may also be functionally symmetrical or unsymmetrical.

A diol is a chemical compound containing two hydroxyl groups. An aliphatic diol may also be called a glycol. This pairing of functional groups is pervasive, and many subcategories have been identified. They are used as protecting groups of carbonyl groups, making them essential in synthesis of organic chemistry.

In chemistry, an oxonium ion is any cation containing an oxygen atom that has three bonds and 1+ formal charge. The simplest oxonium ion is the hydronium ion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enol</span> Organic compound with a C=C–OH group

In organic chemistry, enols are a type of Functional group or intermediate in organic chemistry containing a group with the formula C=C(OH). The term enol is an abbreviation of alkenol, a portmanteau deriving from "-ene"/"alkene" and the "-ol". Many kinds of enols are known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael addition reaction</span> Reaction in organic chemistry

In organic chemistry, the Michael reaction or Michael 1,4 addition is a reaction between a Michael donor and a Michael acceptor to produce a Michael adduct by creating a carbon-carbon bond at the acceptor's β-carbon. It belongs to the larger class of conjugate additions and is widely used for the mild formation of carbon-carbon bonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claisen rearrangement</span> Chemical reaction

The Claisen rearrangement is a powerful carbon–carbon bond-forming chemical reaction discovered by Rainer Ludwig Claisen. The heating of an allyl vinyl ether will initiate a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to give a γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl, driven by exergonically favored carbonyl CO bond formation (Δ = −327 kcal/mol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydroperoxide</span> Class of chemical compounds

Hydroperoxides or peroxols are compounds of the form ROOH, where R stands for any group, typically organic, which contain the hydroperoxy functional group. Hydroperoxide also refers to the hydroperoxide anion and its salts, and the neutral hydroperoxyl radical (•OOH) consist of an unbond hydroperoxy group. When R is organic, the compounds are called organic hydroperoxides. Such compounds are a subset of organic peroxides, which have the formula ROOR. Organic hydroperoxides can either intentionally or unintentionally initiate explosive polymerisation in materials with unsaturated chemical bonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methacrylic acid</span> Chemical compound

Methacrylic acid, abbreviated MAA, is an organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)CO2H. This colorless, viscous liquid is a carboxylic acid with an acrid unpleasant odor. It is soluble in warm water and miscible with most organic solvents. Methacrylic acid is produced industrially on a large scale as a precursor to its esters, especially methyl methacrylate (MMA), and to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

Methyl vinyl ether is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3OCH=CH2. A colorless gas, it is the simplest enol ether. It is used as a synthetic building block, as is the related compound ethyl vinyl ether (a liquid at room temperature).

In organosulfur chemistry, the thiol-ene reaction is an organic reaction between a thiol and an alkene to form a thioether. This reaction was first reported in 1905, but it gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s for its feasibility and wide range of applications. This reaction is accepted as a click chemistry reaction given the reactions' high yield, stereoselectivity, high rate, and thermodynamic driving force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isopropenyl acetate</span> Chemical compound

Isopropenyl acetate is an organic compound, which is the acetate ester of the enol tautomer of acetone. This colorless liquid is significant commercially as the principal precursor to acetylacetone. In organic synthesis, it is used to prepare enol acetates of ketones and acetonides from diols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethyl vinyl ether</span> Chemical compound

Ethyl vinyl ether is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2OCH=CH2. It is the simplest enol ether that is liquid at room temperature. It is used as a synthetic building block and a monomer.

α,β-Unsaturated carbonyl compound Functional group of organic compounds

α,β-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds are organic compounds with the general structure (O=CR)−Cα=Cβ−R. Such compounds include enones and enals, but also carboxylic acids and the corresponding esters and amides. In these compounds, the carbonyl group is conjugated with an alkene. Unlike the case for carbonyls without a flanking alkene group, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are susceptible to attack by nucleophiles at the β-carbon. This pattern of reactivity is called vinylogous. Examples of unsaturated carbonyls are acrolein (propenal), mesityl oxide, acrylic acid, and maleic acid. Unsaturated carbonyls can be prepared in the laboratory in an aldol reaction and in the Perkin reaction.

In organic chemistry, the Conia-ene reaction is an intramolecular cyclization reaction between an enolizable carbonyl such as an ester or ketone and an alkyne or alkene, giving a cyclic product with a new carbon-carbon bond. As initially reported by J. M. Conia and P. Le Perchec, the Conia-ene reaction is a heteroatom analog of the ene reaction that uses an enol as the ene component. Like other pericyclic reactions, the original Conia-ene reaction required high temperatures to proceed, limiting its wider application. However, subsequent improvements, particularly in metal catalysis, have led to significant expansion of reaction scope. Consequently, various forms of the Conia-ene reaction have been employed in the synthesis of complex molecules and natural products.

References

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