Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids from Benzamide Precursors Using Nickel Catalysis

Abstract This chapter describes the procedure for synthesis of carboxylic acids from benzamide precursors using nickel catalysis. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. Carboxylic acids are ubiquitous functional groups found in natural products and drugs but can be difficult to carry through multistep syntheses due to their acidity. Many methods for accessing carboxylic acids proceed from oxidation of alcohols or aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acid, but methods to access carboxylic acids from amide precursors are limited. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards.