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Hammick reaction

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The Hammick reaction, named after Dalziel Hammick, is a chemical reaction in which the thermal decarboxylation of α-picolinic (or related) acids in the presence of carbonyl compounds forms 2-pyridyl-carbinols.[1][2][3]

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The Hammick reaction
Quick Facts

Using p-cymene as solvent has been shown to increase yields.[4]

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Reaction mechanism

Upon heating α-picolinic acid will spontaneously decarboxylate forming the so-called 'Hammick Intermediate' (3). This was initially thought to be an aromatic ylide, but is now believed to be a carbene[5][6] In the presence of a strong electrophile, such as an aldehyde or ketone, this species will undergo nucleophilic attack faster than proton transfer. After nucleophilic attack intramolecular proton transfer yields the desired carbinol (6).

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The mechanism of the Hammick reaction

The scope of the reaction is effectively limited to decarboxylating acids where the carboxyl group is α to the nitrogen, (reactivity has been reported when the acids are located elsewhere on the molecule but with low yields)[7][8] thus suitable substrates are limited to the derivatives of α-picolinic acid[3][9] including the α-carboxylic acids of quinoline and isoquinoline.

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See also

References

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