Ružička reaction

The Ružička large-ring synthesis or Ružička reaction or Ružička cyclization is an organic reaction in which a dicarboxylic acid is converted to a cyclic ketone via heating with a thorium oxide catalyst. The reaction is named after Lavoslav Ružička, who invented it in 1926.

The Ruzicka large-ring synthesis

The reaction has been applied in the synthesis of Exaltone, a low-toxicity synthetic musk.

Further reading

• Ruzicka, L.; Stoll, M.; Schinz, H. (1926). "Zur Kenntnis des Kohlenstoffringes II. Synthese der carbocyclischen Ketone vom Zehner- bis zum Achtzehnerring" [Studies on Carbon Rings II. Syntheses of Carbocyclic Ketones from Ten-to Eighteen Rings]. Helvetica Chimica Acta. 9: 249–264. doi:10.1002/hlca.19260090130.
• Ruzicka, L.; Brugger, W. (1926). "Zur Kenntnis des Kohlenstoffringes III. Über die Gewinnung des Cyclo-octanons aus Azelainsäure" [Studies on Carbon Rings III. About the production of cyclo-octanone from azelaic acid]. Helvetica Chimica Acta. 9: 339–354. doi:10.1002/hlca.19260090140.
• Ruzicka, L.; Brugger, W. (1926). "Zur Kenntnis des Kohlenstoffringes IV. Über die Gewinnung des Cyclo-nonanons aus Sebacinsäure" [Studies on Carbon Rings IV. On the production of cyclononanone from sebacic acid]. Helvetica Chimica Acta. 9: 389–398. doi:10.1002/hlca.19260090148.
• Ruzicka, L.; Brugger, W.; Pfeiffer, M.; Schinz, H.; Stoll, M. (1926). "Zur Kenntnis des Kohlenstoffringes VI. Über die relative Bildungsleichtigkeit, die relative Beständigkeit und den räumlichen Bau der gesättigten Kohlenstoffringe" [Studies on Carbon Rings VI. About the relative ease of formation, the relative stability and the spatial structure of the saturated carbon rings]. Helvetica Chimica Acta. 9: 499–520. doi:10.1002/hlca.19260090164.