Thermal Transformation of Alkali Salts of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids. V. Reaction of Potassium and Sodium Salts of Naphthoic Acids

Abstract

Abstract The cadmium fluoride-catalyzed thermal transformation of potassium and sodium salts of naphtoic acids has been investigated. At the initial reaction stage both potassium and sodium α-naphthoate gave naphthalene and naphthalene-1, 2- and 1, 3-dicarboxylates, which were converted to naphthalene-2, 3- and 2, 6-dicarboxylates. The products composition, however, differed between potassium and sodium salts. Potassium β-naphthoate gave naphthalene and naphthalene 1, 2- and 2, 3-dicarboxylates, which were then further converted to naphthalene-2, 6-dicarboxylate. On the other hand, sodium β-naphthoate gave naphthalene and naphthalene-1, 2- and 2, 3-dicarboxylates. In the presence of potassium cyanate, potassium α- and β-naphthoates gave a high yield of naphthalene-2, 6-dicarboxylate. The mechanism of the reaction was discussed.