Additions of water, hydroxide ions, alcohols and alkoxide ions to carbonyl and azomethine bonds

Abstract

In this review are discussed equilibria involved in nucleophilic additions of H2O, HO-, ROH, and RO- (where R is an alkyl) to compounds containing carbonyl and azomethine bonds. These reactions result in a formation of covalent bonds between the heteroatom of the nucleophile and the carbon of the carbonyl double bond. After a brief summary of reactions resulting in additions to aliphatic carbonyl compounds, attention is paid to additions to benzaldehydes and formyl aromatic heterocycles. Equilibria involving additions to pyridoxal and some related compounds are dealt with in some detail. Discussion of additions of stated nucleophiles to azomethine bonds is practically restricted to additions to C=N bonds in heterocyclic rings. The reactivity of nucleophiles in such additions depends on the number of heteroatoms (in particular nitrogen) in the attacked ring, as well as on the number and position of substituents in such rings. In polynuclear compounds the reactivity depends on the number and kind of annelled rings, on the number and mutual position of heteroatoms and on the kind, number and position of substituents. In particular additions to pyrimidines, quinazolines, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-triazines, pteridines and other heterocycles with four nitrogens, as well as 8-azapurines are mentioned.