March 28, 2024, 05:18:00 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: How to replace a carboxyl group with a methyl group?  (Read 7359 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 1101

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 10
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
How to replace a carboxyl group with a methyl group?
« on: December 01, 2010, 07:57:50 PM »
Is there any general method for replacing a carboxyl group with a methyl group, or any method of replacing the double bonded oxygen and hydroxyl group with three hydrogen atoms? Can this be done using chemicals that one can commonly buy so I can try it?

Offline majorjp

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 35
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-2
Re: How to replace a carboxyl group with a methyl group?
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2010, 08:26:01 PM »
One method would be to reduce the carboxyl group via LiAlH4 yielding an 1o alcohol. The alcohol could then be then be eliminated by means of dehydration yielding an alkene. Which could ultimately be converted into an alkane by hydrogenation by H2 and Pd-C. It's a roundabout method and I'm sure there is a more efficent method but I'm drawing a blank right now.

Offline 1101

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 10
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
Re: How to replace a carboxyl group with a methyl group?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2010, 11:12:43 PM »
Thanks. I wouldn't exactly call the catalysts you suggested common and I wouldn't have any idea where to get them but it's a start. I might be able to find so more common equivalents.

Sponsored Links