- Hofmann rearrangement
The Hofmann rearrangement is the organic reaction of a primary
amide to a primaryamine with one fewercarbon atom. [Hofmann, A. W. v. "Ber. " 1881, "14", 2725.] [Wallis, E. S.; Lane, J. F. "Org. React." 1949, "3", 267-306. (Review)] [Shioiri, T. "Comp. Org. Syn." 1991, "6", 800-806. (Review)]The reaction of
bromine withsodium hydroxide formssodium hypobromite in situ , which transforms the primary amide into an intermediateisocyanate . The intermediate isocyanate is hydrolyzed to a primary amine giving offcarbon dioxide .The reaction is named after its discoverer:
August Wilhelm von Hofmann . This reaction is also sometimes called the Hofmann degradation, and should not be confused with theHofmann elimination .Variations
Several reagents can substitute for bromine.
N-Bromosuccinimide and [1,8-Diazabicycloundec-7-ene|1,8-Diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU)] can effect a Hofmann rearrangement. In the following example, the intermediate isocyanate is trapped bymethanol forming acarbamate . [Keillor, J. W.; Huang, X. "Organic Syntheses ", Coll. Vol. 10, p.549 (2004); Vol. 78, p.234 (2002). ( [http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=v78p0234 Article] )]A mild alternative to bromine is also
(bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo)benzene . [Almond, M. R.; Stimmel, J. B.; Thompson, E. A.; Loudon, G. M. "Organic Syntheses ", Coll. Vol. 8, p.132 (1993); Vol. 66, p.132 (1988). ( [http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv8p0132 Article] )]References
ee also
*
Beckmann rearrangement
*Curtius rearrangement
*Iodoform reaction
*Lossen rearrangement
*Schmidt reaction
*Weerman degradation
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