Protodecarboxylation of aromatic acids

Abstract

Several aromatic acids have been investigated with respect to acid-catalysed decarboxylation (protodecarboxylation). Eight substituted benzoic acids were studied in an attempt to elucidate mechanisms of decarboxylation and requirements for decarboxylation. The results indicate that there are two types of acid catalysed decarboxylation which have different requirements for decarboxylation, and that not all substituted benzoic acids undergo protodecarboxylation at 60.5°C.