A transition metal free expedient approach for the C[dbnd]C bond cleavage of arylidene Meldrum's acid and malononitrile derivatives

Abstract

A transition metal free expedient approach for the CC bond cleavage of electron deficient alkenes such as arylidene Meldrum's acid and malononitrile derivatives are discussed. The CC bond of these compound were cleaved to benzoic acid in good yield at high temperature. Most importantly, with oxone in CH3CN/H2O at 45 °C or m-CPBA in DCM or NaClO2 in THF/H2O or PIDA in THF at room temperature furnished benzaldehyde derivatives selectively in excellent yields.