CH25013Experimental and theoretical investigation of the relative catalytic activities of triphenylphosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene in oxa–Michael addition of phenols
The catalytic activities of triphenylphosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene, namely 3-benzyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolylidene, have been compared by carrying out oxa–Michael additions of some phenols with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of one of these catalysts. The experimental results have been rationalised on the basis of theoretical calculations. (Image credit: Priyanka Suthar.)