A general and practical Lewis acids-catalyzed aryl formates synthesis

Multiphase Ozonolysis of Bisphenol A: Chemical Transformations on Surfaces in the Environment

High global plastic production volumes have led to the widespread presence of bisphenol compounds in human living and working environments. The most common bisphenol, bisphenol A (BPA), despite being endocrine disruptive and estrogenic, is still not fully banned worldwide, leading to continued human exposure via particles in air, dust, and surfaces in both outdoor and indoor environments. While its abundance is well documented, few studies have addressed the chemical transformations of BPA, the properties of its reactive products, and their toxicity. Here, the first gas-surface multiphase ozonolysis experiment of BPA thin films, at a constant ozone mixing ratio of 100 ppb, was performed in a flow tube for periods up to 24 h. Three transformation products involving the addition of 1, 2, and 3 oxygen atoms to the molecule were identified by LC-ESI-HRMS analyses. Exposure of indoor air to thin BPA surface films and BPA-containing thermal paper over periods of days validated the flow tube experiments, demonstrating the rapid nature of this multiphase ozonolysis reaction at atmospherically relevant ozone levels. Multiple transformation pathways are proposed that are likely applicable to not only BPA but also emerging commercial bisphenol products.

Direct formylation of phenols using difluorocarbene as a safe CO surrogate

A convenient method to prepare aryl formates is reported herein that exploits difluorocarbene to serve as a CO surrogate. This reaction is proposed to occur through a sequential O-difluoromethylation of phenol, followed by α-C-F bond functionalization of the resulting aryl difluoromethyl ether intermediate by phenol or moisture through fluorosemiacetal or orthoformate intermediates. Late-stage modification of biologically and materially active compounds is demonstrated.

Ynamide-Mediated Intermolecular Esterification

An ynamide-mediated one-pot, two-step intermolecular esterification via the condensation of carboxylic acids with nucleophilic hydroxyl species was reported. A broad substrate scope with respect to carboxylic acids, alcohols, and phenols was observed. The α-acyloxyenamide intermediates formed by the addition of carboxylic acids to ynamides proved to be effective acylating reagents for the esterification of alcohol and phenol derivatives with the assistance of base catalysis. Notably, the racemization of the α-chiral center of carboxylic acids can be avoided.