A mechanistic study of 2-vinylbenzimidazole formation from 2-(2'-haloethyl)benzimidazoles. Synthesis of highly electron-rich vinylic compounds by general base and specific acid-general base catalysis
作者:Romesh C. Boruah、Edward B. Skibo
DOI:10.1021/jo00079a025
日期:1993.12
The mechanism of halide elimination from 2-(haloethyl)-1-methyl-4,7-dihydroxybenzimidazole was studied in aqueous buffer by means of a pH-rate profile, buffer dilution studies, and C-13 scrambling. It was anticipated that a spiro-fused cyclopropyl species could arise from the above benzimidazole derivative by loss of HX. However, the results of our studies were consistent with both the general base and the specific acid/general base-catalyzed 1,2-elimination of HX. Since the loss of the leaving group occurs in the same transition state as proton abstraction, the elimination mechanism is of the ''E2'' type. The specific acid/general base process permits facile elimination reactions in acidic (pH < 6) media. Thus, protonation of the benzimidazole nitrogen (specific acid) at low pH electrostatically favors proton abstraction by the general base (acetate and phosphate).