Improved Synthesis of Tertiary Alkylacetic Acids and Esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1985-31243

Tertiary alkylacetic acids (R3CCH2COOH) are prepared by reaction of 1,1-dichloroethene with a reagent capable of forming readily a tertiary alkyl carbenium ion with sulfuric acid in the absence of boron trifluoride.With tertiary butyl reagents, the yields are good and the method is convenient at laboratory and larger scales.The yields of carboxylic acids fall sharply with increasing steric effects.The esters are obtained directly, by adding alcohols, in a one-pot synthesis; with C1-C3 alcohols the reaction is selective.