The Hofmann Rearrangement Treatment of amides with bromine in basic solution gives an amine with loss of the carbonyl carbon. O RCNH 2 Br 2 HO– RNH 2 + CO 32–
Examples O (CH 3)3 CCH 2 CNH 2 Br 2, Na. OH (CH 3)3 CCH 2 NH 2 H 2 O O CNH 2 (94%) Br 2, KOH NH 2 H 2 O Br Br (87%)
Mechanism of the Hofmann Rearrangement O RCNH 2 O RCNHBr RNCO RNH 2 The Hofmann rearrangement involves 6 steps in 3 stages. 1. formation of an N-bromo amide (2 steps) 2. conversion of the N-bromo amide to an isocyanate (2 steps) 3. hydrolysis of the isocyanate (2 steps)
Stereochemistry H C 6 H 5 CH 2 O C H 3 C C 6 H 5 CH 2 CNH 2 Br 2, Na. OH, H 2 O H C H 3 C NH 2 alkyl group migrates with retention of configuration
Isocyanates are intermediates When the reaction is carried out in methanol instead of water, the product shown is isolated. O CH 3(CH 2)14 CNH 2 O Br 2 Na. OCH 3 OH CH 3(CH 2)14 NHCOCH 3
Isocyanates are intermediates When the reaction is carried out in methanol instead of water, the product shown is isolated. O O CH 3(CH 2)14 CNH 2 via: Br 2 Na. OCH 3 OH CH 3(CH 2)14 NHCOCH 3 C O