Abstract

The Stobbe condensation, a widely used reaction in synthetic organic chemistry, involves the reaction of a diester of succinic acid with a carbonyl compound in the presence of an alkoxide to lead to the formation of alkylidine succinic acids [1]. The formation of an intermediary lactone ester is suggested although rarely observed. The reaction condition, particularly the nature of the metal steers the Stobbe reaction in different directions. The reaction has been widely used for the synthesis of cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone derivatives as well as carbonyl compounds with propionic acid as a side chain. It has also been applied for the synthesis of substituted tetralones, tetrahydronapthalenes, and oestrone derivatives