PREPARATION OF 4-CARBOALKOXY-1,3-CYCLOHEXANEDIONE TYPE COMPOUNDS

Abstract: Acetoacetic esters of the formula R―OOCCH₂COCH₃ are reacted with an unsaturated ester of the formula R¹R²C=CHCOOR³ in the presence of basic catalyst such as ethanolic sodium ethoxide to give compound I of the formula and the alcohol by-product HOR³. By known hydrolysis and decarboxylation procedures, compound I is convertible to compound II of the formula In the above formulas, R is alkyl, R¹ and R² are each selected independently from M, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl substi­ tuted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, or sub­ stituted heterocyclic, with the provision that at least one of R¹ and R² is an alkylthioalkyl group, and R³ is alkyl or cycloalkyl. These compounds I and II are intermediates in the prepara­ tion of known herbicides.

Description: This invention concerns a novel and markedly improved process for the preparation of 4-carboalkoxy-1-,3-cyclohexanedione type compounds. The process is especially characterized by improved yields. The invention more particularly concerns the preparation of certain 4-carboalkoxy-5-[2-(alkylthio)-alkyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione compounds which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of herbicides according to and such as those disclosed in U.K. Patent 2,090,246. In accordance with the present invention, an acetoacetic ester of the formula R-OOCCH₂COCH₃ is reacted with an unsaturated ester of the formula R¹R²C=CHCOOR³ in the presence of basic catalyst such as the highly preferred ethanolic sodium ethoxide catalyst to give a compound (I) of the formula and the alcohol by-product HOR³. By known hydrolysis and decarboxylation procedures, compound (I) is convertible to compound (II) of the formula The useful basic catalysts include the groups IA and IIA metal alkoxides of C₁-6₆ aliphatic alcohols, or the hydroxides of these metals. Optionally, the basic catalyst can be prepared in situ by reacting metal with a C₁-6₆ alcohol. The same alcohol is also used as a solvent for the reaction. In the above formulas : R is alkyl of 1-6 carbons ; R¹ and R² are each selected independently from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, or substituted heterocyclic, with the provision that at least one of R¹ and R² is an alkylthioalkyl group, wherein the alkyl groups or moieties are 1-18 carbons, preferably 1-6 carbons; and R³ is alkyl of 1-6 carbons or cycloalkyl. In the cyclization step of the present process, the preferred molar ratio of basic catalyst to total moles of reactants is from about 0.10 to about 10.0, most preferably from about 1 to about 4, the molar ratio of acetoacetic ester to unsaturated ester is from about 0.8 to about 1.5, preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.1, the weight ratio of total reactants to the C₁-C₆ alcohol is from about 0.01 to about 1.2, preferably from about 0.08 to about 1.0, the reaction temperature is from about 22°C to about 88°C, preferably from about 70°C to about 78°C, and the reaction period preferably is from about 5 to about 36, and most preferably from about 10 to about 24 hours. The following table gives specific examples of the above R, R¹, R², and R³ substituents. In the table each X substituent is in any ring position and is selected independently from H, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, alkoxy of 1-6 carbons, and halogen. In a specific embodiment, the present process is employed to make 5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione of the formula which is an intermediate in the preparation of the herbicide of the formula sold under the tradename SELECTONE. This herbicide is prepared from the said intermediate by the reaction sequence A reported route to the aforesaid intermediate 5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione (II) involves the condensation of acetoacetic acid and 3-ethylthiobutyraldehyde, followed by Michael addition with diethyl malonate, hydrolysis, and then decarboxylation. The economics of this route are poor from the standpoint of yield and the high cost of diethyl malonate. By contrast, the present invention gives good yields and obviates the need for this expensive reagent. The following examples will further illustrate the invention. EXAMPLE 1 - Preparation of 4-Carboethoxy-5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione The unsaturated ester of the formula CH₃CH₂S(CH₃)CHCH₂CH=CHCOOCH₃ (1.0 g, 5.3 mmole) was added to a solution of ethyl acetoacetate (0.68 g, 5.3 mmole) and sodium metal (0.36 g, 16.9 mmole) in 20 mL of dry ethanol and heated to reflux for 18 hours. After cooling, the ethanol was evaporated and partitioned between H₂O and CH₂Cl₂. The aqueous product layer was acidified with HCl to pH=l and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. This organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 0.88 g (57.8%) of product as a yellow oil which was partially crystalline. The target product was identified by IR and NMR. EXAMPLE 2 - 5-[2-(Ethylthio)-propyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione The ester product of Example 1 (0.70 g, 2.4 mmole) was dissolved in 15 ml of methanol and 1 ml of 2N NaOH and heated to reflux for 2-1/2 hours. The mixture was maintained at room temperature overnight. Methanol was evaporated, and the residue partitioned between about 30 ml of toluene and about 30 ml of aqueous HCl. The toluene extract was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 0.35 g (66.8%) of product as a yellow solid which was identical with an authentic sample. This target product was further identified by NMR. The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the scope of the invention.

Claims: The process comprising reacting an acetoacetic ester of the formula R-OOCCH₂COCH₃ with an unsaturated ester of the formula R¹R²C=CHCOOR³ in the presence of basic catalyst to give a product of the formula wherein: R is alkyl of 1-6 carbons: R¹ and R² are each selected independently from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, or substituted heterocyclic, with the provision that at least one of R¹ and R² is an alkylthioalkyl group, wherein the alkyl groups or moieties are 1-18 carbons; and R³ is alkyl of 1-6 carbons or cycloalkyl. The process of claim 1 wherein the alkyl groups or moieties are 1-6 carbons. The process of claim 1 wherein R is CH₂CH₃, R¹ is H, R² is CH₃CH₂S(CH₃)CHCH₂-, and R³ is CH₃. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is an alcoholic group IA or IIA metal alkoxide of an aliphatic alcohol having 1-6 carbon atoms. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst if prepared in situ by reacting group IA or IIA metal with a C₁-6₆ alcohol. The process of any of claim 1 to 5 wherein the catalyst is sodium ethoxide, the C₁-C₆ alcohol is ethanol, the molar ratio of sodium ethoxide to total moles of reactants is from about 0.10 to about 10.0, the molar ratio of acetoacetic ester to unsaturated ester is from about 0.8 to about 1.5, the weight ratio of total reactants to ethanol is from about 0.01 to about 1.2, and the reaction temperature is from about 22°C to about 78°C. The process of claim 6 wherein the catalyst is sodium ethoxide, the molar ratio of sodium ethoxide to total moles of reactants is from about 1.0 to about 4.0, the molar ratio of acetoacetic ester to unsaturated ester is from about 1.0 to about 1.1, the weight ratio of total reactants to ethanol is from about 0.08 to about 1.0, and the reaction temperature is from about 70°C to about 78°C.

Inventors: MCCOMBS, CHARLES ALLAN C/O EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY (A NEW JERSEY CORPORATION)
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C07C323
IPC codes: C07C323, C07B61, C07C67, C07C69, B01J31, C07C319