N- Hydroxyphthalimide and transition metal salts as catalysts of the liquid-phase oxidation of 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene with oxygen

The oxidation process of 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene catalysed by N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) or NHPI in combination with Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Fe(II) salts was studied. The effects of the amount of catalyst and the temperature were determined. 1-Methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl hydroperoxide was obtained in a yield of 73 mol% when 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene was oxidised for 3 h at 60°C in acetonitrile as a solvent in the presence of NHPI. 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethanone with high selectivity up to 68–75 mol%, but low yield amounting to 11 mol% was obtained when 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene was oxidised in the presence of the NHPI/Cu(II) system at 120°C.      

Synthesis and reactions of 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2-(methylthio)pyridine

A reaction of methyllithium with 3-cyano-6-methylpyridine-2(1 H)-thione followed by alkylation of the resulting 3-acetylpyridinethione, or a direct reaction of methyllithium with 3-cyano-6-methyl-2-(methylthio)pyridine, afforded 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2-(methylthio)pyridine. The ketone obtained was examined in bromination reactions under various conditions. Bromi-nation in methanol or chloroform, proceeding through the formation of sulfonium bromides, gave substituted 3-(bromoacetyl)pyridine. A reaction of 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2-(methyl-thio)pyridine with N-bromosuccinimide in CCl4 afforded N-(pyridinesulfenyl)succinimide. The bromo ketone was used for the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds.     

Structural Studies of 1,8-Disubstituted Naphthalenes as Probes for nucleophile-electrophile interactions

Results of crystal structure analyses of seven 1, 8-disubstituted naphthalenes ( 2a , 8-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1-naphthyl methyl ketone; 2b , 8-(N, N-dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid; 2c , methyl 8-(N, N-dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-carboxylate; 2d , 8-methoxy-1-naphthyl methyl ketone; 2e , 8-methoxynaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid; 2f , N, N-dimethyl-8-methoxynaphthalene 1-carboxamide; 2g , N, N-dimethyl-8-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carboxamide) with a nucleophilic centre (N(CH₃)₂, OCH₃, OH) at one of the peri positions and an electrophilic centre (carbonyl C) at the other are described. All seven molecules show a characteristic distortion pattern: the exocyclic bond to the electrophilic centre is splayed outward, and the one to the nucleophilic centre is splayed inward; the carbonyl C is displaced from the plane of its three bonded atoms towards the nucleophile. This distortion pattern differs from that found in other 1,8-disubstituted naphthalenes and is interpreted as an expression of incipient nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl group. The crystal structure of 2b contains an ordered arrangement of equal numbers of amino acid and zwitterionic molecules.     

Oxidation reactions of some natural volatile aromatic compounds: anethole and eugenol

trans-Anethole [1-methoxy-4-(trans-prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene] was isolated from anise seed oil (Pimpinella anisum). Its photochemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide gave the corresponding epoxy derivative together with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. The thermal oxidation of trans-anethole with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid at room temperature resulted in the formation of dimeric epoxide, 2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane, as the only product. Photochemical oxygenation of trans-anethole in the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin, Rose Bengal, or chlorophyll as sensitizer led to a mixture of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl hydroperoxide and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Eugenol was isolated from clove oil [Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.)]. It was converted into 2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl hydroperoxide by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide under irradiation. Thermal oxidation of eugenol with 3-chloroperoxypenzoic acid at room temperature produced 2-methoxy-4-(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)phenol, while sensitized photochemical oxygenation (in the presence of Rose Bengal or chlorophyll) gave 4-hydroperoxy-2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one. Published in Russian in Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 834–841. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

New Monoterpene-Substituted Dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum

Five New unusual monoterpene-substituted dihydrochalcones, the adunctins A–E (1″S)-1-{2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-6′-[4″-methyl-1″-(1?-methylethyl)cyclohex-3″ -en-1″ -yloxy]phenyl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 1 ), (5aR*,8R*,9aR*)-3-phenyl-1-[5′,8′,9′,9′a-tetrahydro-3′-hydroxy-1′-methoxy-8′-(1″-methylethyl)-5′-a-methyldibenzo-[b,d]furan-4′-yl]propan-1-one ( 2 ), (2′R*,4″S*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]-furan-2′(3′H),1″ -cyclohex-2″ -en]-7′-yl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 3 ), (2′R*,4″R*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methylethyl-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]furan-2′(3′H),1″-cyclohex-2″-en]-7′-yl}-3-phenypropan-1-one ( 4 ), and (5′aR*,6′S*, 9′R*,9′aS*)-1-[5′a,6′,7′,8′,9′a-hexahydro-3′,6′-methoxy-6′-methyl-9′-(1″-methylethyl)dibenzo[b,d]-furan-4′-yl]-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 5 ) were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) by preparative liquid chromatography. In addition, (?)-methyllindaretin ( 6 ), trans-phytol, and α-tocopherol ( = vitamin E) were also isolated and identified. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and cytotoxic potentials of the isolates were also investigated.     

An improved process for the synthesis of nintedanib esylate

Nintedanib esylate is synthesized via novel intermediates of (Z)-methyl 3-(acetoxy-phenyl)methylene)-1-acetyl-2-oxoindoline-6-carboxylate and N-(4-aminophenyl)-2-chloro-N-methylacetamide in good yields.     

Acetylenchemie, 33. Mitt.: Synthese von 2-substituierten Dihydrofuro[2,3-b]chinolinen

Summary The reaction of 3-iodo-4-methoxy-2(1H)-quinolinone (1) and 3-iodo-4,6,8-trimethoxy-2(1H)-quinolinone (2) with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol under modified Heck-conditions gave the 2-substituted derivatives 2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4-methoxyfuro[2,3-b]-quinoline (3) and 2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl-4,6,8-trimethoxyfuro[2,3-b]-quinoline (4). By a subsequent hydrogenation-reaction with a homogeneous catalyst (PtO₂/Rh₂O₃), the furoquinoline-derivatives yielded the dihydrofuro-[2,3-b]quinolines, identified as 2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl-4-methoxy-2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoline (5) (racemic platydesmine) and 2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4,6,8-trimethoxy-2,3-dihydrofuro-[2,3-b]quinoline (6) (racemic precursor of O⁴-methylptelefolonium salt).

     

Synthesis of (3RS)- and (3SR)-acetoxy-(3aRS,8bSR)-N-acetyl-5-methoxy-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles

Stereoisomeric 3-acetoxy-5-methoxy-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles differing by the configuration of the C³ atom were synthesized. The reaction of N-acetyl-6-(cyclopent-2-en-1-yl)-2-methoxyaniline with 50% hydrogen peroxide in the presence of Na₂WO₄-H₃PO₄ in AcOH gave (3RS,3aRS,8bSR)-N-acetyl-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indole which was converted into the corresponding 3-O-acetyl derivative by treatment with acetic anhydride in pyridine. N-Acetyl-6-(cyclopent-2-en-1-yl)-2-methoxyaniline reacted with iodine in methylene chloride in the presence of NaHCO₃ to produce (3SR,3aRS,8bSR)-3-acetoxy-5-methoxy-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indole which was subjected to acetylation at the nitrogen atom by reaction with acetic anhydride. The structure of (3RS,3aRS,8bSR)-N-acetyl-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indole was proved by X-ray analysis. Original Russian Text ? N.A. Likhacheva, A.A. Korlyukov, R.R. Gataullin, 2009, published in Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 406–409.     

N-Hydroxyphthalimide in combination with Cu(II), Co(II) or Mn(II) salts as catalytic systems for the oxidation of isopropyl-aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen

Catalytic systems consisting of N-hydroxyphthalimide in combination with copper(II), cobalt(II) and manganese(II) acetylacetonate, acetate or chloride were applied to the oxidation of cumene with oxygen. The use of these catalytic systems decreases cumyl hydroperoxide selectivity as a result of the decomposition reaction of hydroperoxide to 2-phenyl-2-propanol and acetophenone. It has been demonstrated that the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide in combination with copper salts at 60 °C results in high alcohol content whereas ketone is the major product at 90 °C. The results can be used to develop a method for alcohol or ketone synthesis from other isopropyl-aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Radical/Radical CH/PH Cross‐Coupling: α‐Phosphorylation of Aryl Ketone O‐Acetyloximes

The selective radical/radical cross‐coupling of two different organic radicals is a great challenge due to the inherent activity of radicals. In this paper, a copper‐catalyzed radical/radical C? H/P? H cross‐coupling has been developed. It provides a radical/radical cross‐coupling in a selective manner. This work offers a simple way toward β‐ketophosphonates by oxidative coupling of aryl ketone o‐acetyloximes with phosphine oxides using CuCl as catalyst and PCy₃ as ligand in dioxane under N₂ atmosphere at 130 °C for 5 h, and yields ranging from 47 % to 86 %. The preliminary mechanistic studies by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) showed that, 1) the reduction of ketone o‐acetyloximes generates iminium radicals, which could isomerize to α‐sp³‐carbon radical species; 2) phosphorus radicals were generated from the oxidation of phosphine oxides. Various aryl ketone o‐acetyloximes and phosphine oxides were suitable for this transformation.     

Reactions of N-Arylsulfonyl-2-arenesulfonamido-1,4-benzo-quinone 4-Imines with Naphthols

Reactions of N-arylsulfonyl-2-arenesulfonamido-1'4-benzoquinone 4-imines unsubstituted in thering or 6-chloro, 5'6-dichlorosubstituted with 1- or 2-naphthols, 2-methoxynaphthalene provided thecorresponding N-arylsulfonyl-2-arenesulfonamido-6-[2-hydroxy(methoxy)-1-naphthyl]-4-aminophenols fromthe unsubstituted reagent and reduction products from the mono- and dichlorosubstituted quinone imines.     

Synthesis and properties of 5-(1,2-dihaloethyl)-2′-deoxyuridines and related analogues

The regiospecific reaction of 5-vinyl-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 2 ) with HOX (X = Cl, Br, I) yielded the corresponding 5-(1-hydroxy-2-haloethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridines 3a-c . Alternatively, reaction of 2 with iodine monochloride in aqueous acetonitrile also afforded 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3c ). Treatment of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 3a ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with DAST (Et₂NSF₃) in methylene chloride at -40° gave the respective 5-(1-fluoro-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6a , 74%) and 5-(1-fluoro-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6b , 65%). In contrast, 5-(1-fluoro-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6e ) could not be isolated due to its facile reaction with methanol, ethanol or water to yield the corresponding 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)- ( 6c ), 5-(1-ethoxy-2-iodoethyl)- ( 6d ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3c ). Treatment of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 3a ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with thionyl chloride yielded the respective 5-(1,2-dichloroethyl)- ( 6f , 85%) and 5-(1-chloro-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6g , 50%), whereas a similar reaction employing the 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)- compound 3c afforded 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6c ), possibly via the unstable 5-(1-chloro-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine intermediate 6h . The 5-(1-bromo-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6i ) and 5-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6j ) could not be isolated due to their facile conversion to the corresponding 5-(1-ethoxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6k ) and 5-(1-ethoxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 61 ). Reaction of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with methanolic ammonia, to remove the 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl groups, gave 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6(5H)-one ( 8 ). In contrast, a similar reaction of 5-(1-fluoro-2-chloroethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6a ) yielded (E)-5-(2-chlorovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine ( 1b , 23%) and 5-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)furano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6(5H)-one ( 9 , 13%). The mechanisms of the substitution and elimination reactions observed for these 5-(1,2-dihaloethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridines are described.     

Oxidation of 3-hydroxykynurenine. A reexamination

The oxidation mixture of 3-hydroxykynurenine ( 1 ), treated with aqueous acetic anhydride and, subsequently, with acidic methanol, yields the 1-hydroxy-3-carbomethoxy-5-methoxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-N-acetyl-methyl ester)pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazine ( 5 ), the 1-hydroxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-N-acetyl-methyl ester)-5.H-pyrido[3,2-a]-phenoxazin-5-one ( 6 ), the 1-methoxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-N-acetyl-methyl ester)-5H-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazin-5-one ( 6a ), the l,5-dimethoxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-N-acetyl-methyl ester)pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazine ( 7 ) and the 1-methyl-1(1′-[11-(β-aspartoyl-methyl esterimino)]ethenyl)ketal-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazin-5-one ( 8 ). A probable scheme, for the compound formation, is reported.     

Synthesis of 3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl pyranonaphthoquinone analogues of medermycin

The synthesis of an isomeric mixture of 4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl analogues 6 of the C-glycosylpyranonaphthoquinone antibiotic medermycin is described. The key 3-acetyl-6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 8 was prepared via Stille coupling of 6-(3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-3-bromo-1,4- naphthoquinone 17 with (alpha-ethoxyvinyl)tributyl-stannane followed by hydrolysis and oxidation of the resultant hydroquinone 18. Bromonaphthoquinone 17 in turn was afforded by oxidative demethylation of 6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-3- bromo-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 16 formed by regioselective bromination of 6-(4-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy- beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 10. This latter naphthalene 10 was prepared via direct C-glycosylation of naphthol 12 with glycosyl donor 11 using BF3.Et2O in acetonitrile. The regioselectivity of the bromination of naphthalene 10 was independently determined by reductive monomethylation of the 6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 22 to naphthol 23 followed by selective ortho bromination to bromide 24 and methylation to 16. Attempts to effect acetylation of 6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-3-bromo-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 16 and 3-bromo-6-(3-dimethylamino-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 26 via Stille coupling with (alpha-ethoxyvinyl)tributylstannane were low yielding thereby establishing the necessity to use an azido group as a latent dimethylamino group and a more electrophilic bromonaphthoquinone as the coupling partner for the Stille reaction. Addition of 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran 9 to 3-acetyl-6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)- 5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 8 afforded the furofuran adducts 7 and 19 as an inseparable mixture of diastereomers. Oxidative rearrangement of this diastereomeric mixture using ceric ammonium nitrate afforded the inseparable diastereomeric furonaphthopyrans 6 and 20.     

Gamma-, photo-, and thermally-initiated oxidation of isotactic polypropylene

The detailed oxidation products have been identified and compared from the γ-, photo-, and thermally-initiated oxidation of unstabilized polypropylene films. Products were identified and quantified by a combination of iodometric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Spectral resolution was enhanced by derivatization reactions which allow the quantification of primary, secondary, and tertiary hydroperoxide and alcohol groups as well as more reliable analysis of carbonyl species. In contrast to polyethylene oxidation which yields predominantly ketone with lesser amounts of secondary hydroperoxide and carboxylic acid, polypropylene oxidizes to give predominantly tertiary hydroperoxide and lesser quantities of secondary hydroperoxide and ketone. In addition carboxylic acid groups are a minor product except at high degrees of thermal and photoinitiated oxidation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Efficient catalytic cycloalkane oxidation employing a "helmet" phthalocyaninato iron(III) complex

We have examined the catalytic activity of an iron(III) complex bearing the 14,28-[1,3-diiminoisoindolinato]phthalocyaninato (diiPc) ligand in oxidation reactions with three substrates (cyclohexane, cyclooctane, and indan). This modified metallophthalocyaninato complex serves as an efficient and selective catalyst for the oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclooctane, and to a far lesser extent indan. In the oxidations of cyclohexane and cyclooctane, in which hydrogen peroxide is employed as the oxidant under inert atmosphere, we have observed turnover numbers of 100.9 and 122.2 for cyclohexanol and cyclooctanol, respectively. The catalyst shows strong selectivity for alcohol (vs. ketone) formation, with alcohol to ketone (A/K) ratios of 6.7 and 21.0 for the cyclohexane and cyclooctane oxidations, respectively. Overall yields (alcohol + ketone) were 73% for cyclohexane and 92% for cyclooctane, based upon the total hydrogen peroxide added. In the catalytic oxidation of indan under similar conditions, the TON for 1-indanol was 10.1, with a yield of 12% based upon hydrogen peroxide. No 1-indanone was observed in the product mixture.     

Oxidation of Cycloalkanes by Hydrogen Peroxide in a Biomimetic Iron Porphyrin System

The kinetics of cyclohexane and cyclopentane oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by iron porphyrins (FeTPP and FeTDCPP) in acetonitrile solutions is studied at room temperature by analyzing product accumulation with the GLC method. The effects of various additives (acetic acid, imidazole, and hydroquinone) on the substrate selectivity of the competitive oxidation of C₆H₁₂ and C₅H₁₀ are studied. In the FeTDCPP/H₂O₂/O₂/AcOH/CH₃CN system, cyclohexane is oxidized to the corresponding alcohol, ketone, and hydroperoxide. The fraction of the product (hydroperoxide) formed by the radical mechanism is 20–30%. The alcohol and ketone are formed by the molecular pathway in a ratio of (6–7) : 1. Kinetic parameters of cycloalkane oxidation are compared in a biomimetic system with hydrogen peroxide (the shunt system) and the system based on dioxygen with electron and proton donors. The latter system modeled cytochrome P-450. It is shown that active species are the same in both systems. The kinetic scheme of the alkane oxidation process is proposed for the shunt system.     

Photochemical preparation and rearrangement of some symmetrical methoxypyridyl phenyl glycols (pinacols)

Solutions of 6-methoxy-3-pyridyl phenyl ketone and 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-methoxy-2-pyridyl phenyl ketones in isopropyl alcohol were subjected to ultraviolet radiation. All the ketones except 3-methoxy-2-pyridyl phenyl ketone were observed to undergo bimolecular reduction to give the corresponding pinacols in 30-100 percent yields. In cold concentrated sulfuric acid the pinacols were found to rearrange with the exclusive migration of the phenyl group. The pinacols hearing the 3-pyridyl groups rearranged at a much faster rate than the 2-pyridyl isomers.     

Synthesis and dehydration reaction of 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-2-ol: possible intermediate of Lasofoxifene

The paper deals with a simple and sufficient synthesis of key precursor of Lasofoxifene. The 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was prepared by a sequence of five reactions steps: first 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was prepared (70%), and this was quantitatively epoxidized to 7b-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-5-methoxy-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydronaphtho[1,2-b]oxirene. Catalytic (ZnI₂) isomerization of the epoxide gave 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-one (75%). Its subsequent reaction with phenylmagnesium bromide gave 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthol (87%). Acid-catalysed dehydration of this alcohol by polyphosphoric acid (25°C) provides 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene (80%). Dehydration in the system of acetic anhydride/polyphosphoric acid gives 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (66%).     

Sur l'orientation et les anomalies de l'acetylation des Bz-méthoxy nitro-2 benzofurannes

4-Methoxy-, 5-methoxy- and 7-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofurans have been acetylated via the Friedel-Crafts reaction under the same reaction conditions. 2-Nitrobenzofuran does not undergo acetylation while 6-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran only produces decomposition products. As a result of the positive acetylation reactions, 7-acetyl-4-methoxy-, 4-acetyl-5-methoxy- and 4-acetyl-7-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran have been prepared. As side products in the acetylation reactions, 4-methoxy-3-(4′-methoxy-2′-nitro-7′-benzofuranyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-one was isolated when 4-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran was the starting material and, likewise, when 5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran was the starting material, 3-chloro-5-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-one was obtained. Furthermore, 5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran participated in an unexpected chlorination leading to 4-chloro-5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran.