ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Comparison of betaine and l -stachydrine as phase-transfer catalysts in Michael addition and Darzens reaction

E. Veverková, R. Droppová, and Š. Toma

Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

E-mail: veverkova@fns.uniba.sk

Received: 27 January 2006  Revised: 25 May 2006  Accepted: 6 June 2006

Abstract: Betaine and l-stachydrine have been tested as phase-transfer catalysts in Michael and Darzens reactions. The catalytic effect of l-stachydrine was found comparable to that of betaine in Michael addition and even higher when considering Darzens reaction. The desired products have been obtained in higher yields in solid-liquid system than under liquid-liquid bi-phase conditions. The influence of microwave irradiation and ultrasound on the reaction rate has been studied.

Keywords: betaine - L-stachydrine - phase-transfer catalyst - Michael addition - Darzens reaction - microwave irradiation

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-006-0061-5

Chemical Papers 60 (5) 333–337 (2006)