Scandium trifluoromethanesulphonate as an active catalyst in the decarbonylation of aromatic aldehydes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00622-9

Scandium trifluoromethanesulphonate efficiently catalyzes the decarbonylation of 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (1) which, on heating in MeOH solution, is deformylated neatly and completely in a few minutes, yielding 1,3,5 trimethoxybenzene and methyl formate. The reaction was studied by UV and NMR spectroscopy, which gave evidence for the reaction mechanism. Aromatic aldehydes less electron rich than 1 were decarbonylated more sluggishly. The unique catalytic properties of Sc(OTf)₃ were compared with other non transition metal triflates.