The Bouveault aldehyde synthesis (also known as the Bouveault reaction) is a one-pot substitution reaction that replaces an alkyl or aryl halide with a formyl group using a N,N-disubstituted formamide.^[1][2] For primary alkyl halides this produces the homologous aldehyde one carbon longer. For aryl halides this produces the corresponding carbaldehyde. The Bouveault aldehyde synthesis is an example of a formylation reaction, and is named for French scientist Louis Bouveault.

Reaction mechanism

The first step of the Bouveault aldehyde synthesis is the formation of the Grignard reagent. Upon addition of a N,N-disubstituted formamide (such as dimethylformamide) a hemiaminal is formed, which can easily be hydrolyzed into the desired aldehyde.

Variations

Variants using organolithium reagents instead of magnesium-based Grignard reagents are also considered Bouveault aldehyde syntheses.^[3]

See also

• Bodroux-Chichibabin aldehyde synthesis
• Bouveault–Blanc reduction
• Duff reaction

References

• Smith, L. I.; Nichols, J. (1941). "The Synthesis of Aldehydes from Grignard Reagents. II. Polymethylbenzaldehydes". J. Org. Chem. 6 (4): 489. doi:10.1021/jo01204a003.
• Sice, Jean (1953). "Preparation and Reactions of 2-Methoxythiophene". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75 (15): 3697–3700. doi:10.1021/ja01111a027.
• Jones, E. R. H. (1958). "210. Researches on acetylenic compounds. Part LX. The synthesis of three natural polyacetylenic hydrocarbons". J. Chem. Soc.: 1054–1059. doi:10.1039/jr9580001054.