Petroleum Chemistry, Vol.48, No.6, 471-478, 2008
Synthesis of 2-thiophenecarboxylic and 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid esters via the reaction of thiophenes with the CCl(4)-ROH reagent in the presence of vanadium, iron, and molybdenum catalysts
2-Thiophenecarboxylic and 2,5-thiohenedicarboxylic acid esters were synthesized via the reaction of thiophene with the CCl(4)-ROH-catalyst system, with a total yield of 44-85%. A possible reaction scheme includes the successive steps of alkylation of thiophene with carbon tetrachloride, leading to 2-trichloromethylthiophene, and alcoholysis of the product giving the corresponding 2-thiophenecarboxylate. The best catalysts for this reaction are VO(acac)(2), Fe(acac)(3), and Mo(CO)(6).