Kolbe Reaction and Mechanism

This involves the treatment of sodium phenoxide with carbon dioxide at 125 degrees C under 6 atmospheres of pressure followed by acid hydrolysis salicylic acid is formed.

Mechanism :

The phenoxide carbanion adds to the electrophilic carbon of carbon dioxide, Three steps involved in this mechanism.

 

The kobe reaction is also given by other phenols and introduces - COOH group in the ortho position, this reaction is also called kolbe-schmitt reaction.

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