THE TISHCHENKO REACTION

摘要

The dimerization of an aldehyde in the presence of a metal alfcoxide to form a symmetrical ester is a well-known reaction, first observed by Claisen in the formation of benzyl benzoate by treating benzaldehyde with sodium alkoxides (Scheme 1). The reaction has since been named after the Russian chemist V. E, Tishchenko, whose seminal research on the subject established the general reaction for ester formation through metal (Al or Mg) alkoxide catalyzed aldehyde dimerization.