Mechanism of action of base-catalyzed oxygenation of phenol derivatives

Cyclopropyl derivative of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol is synthesized as a probe to investigate the mechanism of base-catalyzed autooxidation of phenol derivatives. Our study indicates that one electron reduction of molecular oxygen from phenolate gives phenoxyl radical 3, a key intermediate of autooxidation. The coupling of phenoxyl radical and superoxide radical gives peroxylate anion 4 and produces the final epoxy alcohol adduct 6.