The VolhardâErdmann cyclization is an organic synthesis of alkyl and aryl thiophenes by cyclization of disodium succinate or other 1,4-difunctional compounds (Îł-oxo acids, 1,4-diketones, chloroacetyl-substituted esters) with phosphorus heptasulfide. The reaction is named after Jacob Volhard and Hugo Erdmann. [1]
An example is the synthesis of 3-methylthiophene starting from itaconic acid: [2]
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^ Feldkamp, R. F.; Tullar, B. F. (1954).
"3-Methylthiophene" (PDF).
Organic Syntheses. 34: 73
{{ cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link); Collected Volumes, vol. 4, p. 671. - ^ Volhard, J.; Erdmann, H. (1885). "Synthetische Darstellung von Thiophen". Chemische Berichte. 18 (1): 454â455. doi: 10.1002/cber.18850180199.