Tris(2-methoxyphenyl)bismuthane as a dehydrating agent with high template ability: an efficient single-step synthesis of macrocyclic diesters from diacid anhydrides and glycols

Abstract

Tris(2-methoxyphenyl)bismuthane works as both a mild dehydrating agent and a good template for macrocyclic ester synthesis; prolonged heating of the bismuthane with a dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a glycol in toluene under reflux afforded the corresponding macrocyclic 1:1 diester in moderate to good yields, together with a small amount of a macrocyclic 2:2 tetraester.