A new process to prepare 3,6-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, the penultimate intermediate in the synthesis of herbicide dicamba

摘要

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] is a broad spectrum, post-emergent herbicide that is among the most widely used agrochemicals globally. Over the past 30 years, there has been a development of glyphosate-resistant weeds, which pose a significant challenge to growers and crop scientists, resulting in lower crop yields and increased costs. 3,6-Dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) is the active ingredient in XtendiMax (R), a standalone herbicide developed by Bayer Crop Science to control broadleaf weeds, including glyphosate-resistant species. 3,6-Dichloro-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (3,6-DCSA) is the penultimate intermediate in the synthesis of dicamba. Existing dicamba manufacturing routes utilize a high temperature, high pressure Kolbe-Schmitt carboxylation to prepare 3,6-DCSA. Described in this Letter is a new, non-Kolbe-Schmitt process to prepare 3,6-DCSA from salicylic acid in four chemical steps. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.