The Pfitzinger reaction (also known as the Pfitzinger-Borsche reaction) is the
chemical reaction
A chemical reaction is a process that leads to the IUPAC nomenclature for organic transformations, chemical transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. Classically, chemical reactions encompass changes that only involve the pos ...
of
isatin
Isatin, also known as tribulin, is an organic compound derived from indole with formula C8H5NO2. The compound was first obtained by Otto Linné Erdman and Auguste Laurent in 1840 as a product from the oxidation of indigo dye by nitric acid and ...
with base and a
carbonyl
In organic chemistry, a carbonyl group is a functional group composed of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom: C=O. It is common to several classes of organic compounds, as part of many larger functional groups. A compound containing a ...
compound to yield substituted
quinoline
Quinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C9H7N. It is a colorless hygroscopic liquid with a strong odor. Aged samples, especially if exposed to light, become yellow and later brown. Quinoline is only sli ...
-4-
carboxylic acid
In organic chemistry, a carboxylic acid is an organic acid that contains a carboxyl group () attached to an R-group. The general formula of a carboxylic acid is or , with R referring to the alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or other group. Carboxylic ...
s.
Several reviews have been published.
Reaction mechanism
The reaction of isatin with a base such as
potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula K OH, and is commonly called caustic potash.
Along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), KOH is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications, most of which exp ...
hydrolyses
Hydrolysis (; ) is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. The term is used broadly for substitution, elimination, and solvation reactions in which water is the nucleophile.
Biological hydrolysis ...
the amide bond to give the keto-acid 2. This intermediate can be isolated, but is typically not. A
ketone
In organic chemistry, a ketone is a functional group 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)– (which contains a carbon-oxygen double bo ...
(or
aldehyde
In organic chemistry, an aldehyde () is an organic compound containing a functional group with the structure . The functional group itself (without the "R" side chain) can be referred to as an aldehyde but can also be classified as a formyl grou ...
) will react with the aniline to give the
imine
In organic chemistry, an imine ( or ) is a functional group or organic compound containing a carbon–nitrogen double bond (). The nitrogen atom can be attached to a hydrogen or an organic group (R). The carbon atom has two additional single bo ...
(3) and the
enamine
An enamine is an unsaturated compound derived by the condensation of an aldehyde or ketone with a secondary amine. Enamines are versatile intermediates.
:
The word "enamine" is derived from the affix ''en''-, used as the suffix of alkene, and th ...
(4). The enamine will cyclize and dehydrate to give the desired quinoline (5).
Variations
Halberkann variant
Reaction of ''N''-
acyl
In chemistry, an acyl group is a moiety derived by the removal of one or more hydroxyl groups from an oxoacid, including inorganic acids. It contains a double-bonded oxygen atom and an alkyl group (). In organic chemistry, the acyl group (IUPAC n ...
isatins with base gives 2-
hydroxy-
quinoline
Quinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C9H7N. It is a colorless hygroscopic liquid with a strong odor. Aged samples, especially if exposed to light, become yellow and later brown. Quinoline is only sli ...
-4-
carboxylic acid
In organic chemistry, a carboxylic acid is an organic acid that contains a carboxyl group () attached to an R-group. The general formula of a carboxylic acid is or , with R referring to the alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or other group. Carboxylic ...
s.
See also
*
Camps quinoline synthesis
The Camps quinoline synthesis (also known as the Camps cyclization) is a chemical reaction whereby an o-acylaminoacetophenone is transformed into two different hydroxyquinolines (products A and B) using hydroxide ion.
The relative proportions of ...
*
Friedländer synthesis
The Friedländer synthesis is a chemical reaction of 2-aminobenzaldehydes with ketones to form quinoline derivatives. It is named after German chemist Paul Friedländer (1857–1923).
This reaction has been catalyzed by trifluoroacetic acid, t ...
*
Niementowski quinazoline synthesis
The Niementowski quinazoline synthesis is the chemical reaction of anthranilic acids with amides to form 4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolines (3''H''-quinazolin-4-ones).
Uses
Research has demonstrated that the Niementowski quinazoline synthesis could ...
*
Talnetant
Talnetant (SB-223,412) is a neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist developed by GlaxoSmithKline, which is being researched for several functions (primarily treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, despite a 2007 study finding no statistically significan ...
,
Cinchocaine
Cinchocaine (INN/ BAN) or dibucaine (USAN) is an amide local anesthetic. Among the most potent and toxic of the long-acting local anesthetics, current use of cinchocaine is generally restricted to spinal and topical anesthesia. It is sold under th ...
References
{{Reflist
Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions
Condensation reactions
Quinoline forming reactions
Ring expansion reactions
Name reactions