Synthesis of sterically hindered benzoquinone methacrylates

Sterically hindered p- and o-benzoquinone methacrylates, viz., 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-3,6-di-oxocyclohexa-1,4-dienyl methacrylate and 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-3,4-dioxocyclohexa-1,5-dienyl methacrylate, were synthesized by O-acylation of the lithium and tetrabutylammonium salts of 3,6-di(tert-butyl)-2-hydroxy-p-benzoquinone with methacryloyl chloride. The influence of the nature of cation and solvent on regioselectivity of the acylation was studied. The o-benzoquinone derivative obtained can serve as a paramagnetic ligand in metal complexes.