The Boord olefin synthesis is an organic reaction forming alkenes from ethers carrying a halogen atom 2 carbons removed from the oxygen atom (β-halo-ethers) using a metal such as magnesium or zinc. The reaction, discovered by Cecil E. Boord in 1930The synthesis of beta-bromo-alkyl ethers and their use in further synthesis Lloyd C. Swallen and Cecil E. Boord J. Am. Chem. Soc.; 1930; 52(2) pp 651 - 660; is a classic named reaction with high yields and broad scope.Advanced Organic Chemistry, 4th Edition, Jerry March, 1992.
The reaction type is an elimination reaction with magnesium forming an intermediate Grignard reagent. The alkoxy group is a poor leaving group and therefore an E1cB elimination reaction mechanism is proposed. The original publication describes the organic synthesis of the compound isoheptene in several steps.
In a 1931 publicationNuclear syntheses in the olefin series II. 1,4-diolefins Bernard H. Shoemaker and Cecil E. Boord J. Am. Chem. Soc.; 1931; 53(4) pp 1505 - 1512; the scope is extended to 1,4-dienes with magnesium replaced by zinc (see also: Barbier reaction). In the first part of the reaction the allyl Grignard acts as a nucleophile in nucleophilic aliphatic substitution.
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