Synthesis and Electrochemical Studies of Ruthenium(II) Dicarbonyl Bis(ferrocenyl-β-diketonates)

The reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] ( 1 ) with six equiv. of FcC(O)CH₂C(O)R ( 2a , R = Me; 2b , R = Fc; Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₅)) produced the Ru^II compounds [Ru(CO)₂(FcC(O)CHC(O)R)₂] ( 3a , R = Me; 3b , R = Fc) in moderate yields. IR studies and single-crystal X-ray analysis ( 3a ) confirmed that the CO ligands are cis-oriented and that the respective β-diketonates O,O'-chelate-bonded setting-up an octahedral surrounding at Ru^II. Electrochemical (cyclic and square-wave voltammetry) and spectroelectrochemical (UV/Vis-NIR, IR) measurements were additionally carried out. Compounds 3a , b display two ( 3a : E₁^o' = 140; E₂^o' = 255 mV; ΔE^o' = 115 mV for [ 3a ]⁺/[ 3a ]²⁺) or four ( 3b : E₁^o' = 80 mV, E₂^o' 190 mV (ΔE^o' = 110 mV, [ 3b ]⁺/[ 3b ]²⁺), E₃^o' = 355 mV (ΔE^o' = 165 mV, [ 3b ]²⁺/[ 3b ]³⁺), E₄^o' = 490 mV (ΔE^o' = 135 mV, [ 3b ]³⁺/[ 3b ]⁴⁺)) electrochemical reversible one-electron redox processes indicating electrostatic interactions among the ferrocenyl groups as oxidation progresses, which was confirmed by UV/Vis-NIR and in situ IR spectroscopy. One ferrocenyl group on each β-diketonate ligand is by this means 1^st oxidized before the 2^nd ferrocenyl group of the same β-diketonate building block follows.     

The molecular structure and chemical reactivities of the condensation products of o-substituted benzylidenacetylacetone with hydrazine dihydrochloride

Reaction of o-nitrobenzylideneacetylacetone ( 1a ) with hydrazine dihydrochloride in methanol gave 4-(α-methoxy-o-nitrobenzyl)-3,5-dimethylpyrazole hydrochloride ( 4a ), whose structure was unambigously confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis, via 4-(o-nitrobenzylidene)-3,5-dimethylisopyrazole ( 2a ). Compound 2a was synthesized by condensation of 1a with hydrazine dihydrochloride in acetonitrile. Analogously the corresponding o-chloro derivatives ( 2b, 4b ) were obtained. These were converted to N-methyl ( 6b ) and N-acetyl ( 7a,b ) derivatives and the behaviors on bromination and pyrolysis were investigated.     

Kinetic study on the anelation of heterocycles. 1. Quinoxalinone derivatives synthesized by hinsberg reaction

Kinetic studies on the Hinsberg condensation were performed trying to improve yields and achieve regio-selectivity in the attainment of benzene-substituted 3-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones. The course of the reactions between o-phenylenediamine (o-PDA) and substituted o-PDA with pyruvic acid ( 2a ) or ethyl pyruvate ( 2b ) were followed by uv spectrophotometry at different pH values. The formation of 3-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one ( 6a ) was improved using sulphuric acid-water mixtures, in which the reaction proceeded by a different mechanism. 3-Methyl-7-methoxyquinoxalin-2(1H)-one ( 7b ) was regioselectively synthesized independently of the pH of the reaction media. Reaction of 2-amino-4-methylamine ( 1c ) with 2a or 2b led to a mixture of 6 and 7-quinoxalinone isomers, 6c and 7c , while 2-amino-4-nitroaniline ( 1d ) and 2,4-diaminoaniline ( 1e ) with 2a or 2b did not afford the heterocycle. In every case reactions with 2a were 100–1000 times faster than those with 2b . Mechanisms are proposed trying to account for the experimental results.     

Mononuclear heterocyclic rearrangements. Part 12. Rearrangement of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles into indazoles

The first example of a mononuclear heterocyclic rearrangement involving an XYZ = CCN side-chain sequence is reported. The 3-(o-aminophenyl)-, and 3-(o-methylaminophenyl)-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles ( 3a,b ) gave a thermally induced rearrangement into 3-acylaminoindazoles ( 4a,b ). On the other hand, the 3-(o-acetylaminophenyl)-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole ( 3c ) produced a base induced rearrangement into 3-acetylaminoindazole ( 4a ).     

Effect of the Substitution Pattern on the Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer Emissions in Organoboron‐Based Biphenyls,Diphenylacetylenes, and Stilbenes

Three series of organoboron‐based molecules, including biphenyls 1a , 1b , 1c , diphenylacetylenes 2a , 2b , 2c , and stilbenes 3a , 3b , 3c , in which the electron‐accepting boryl and the electron‐donating amino groups are introduced at different positions, have been comprehensively investigated to explore the effect of the substitution pattern on the intramolecular charge‐transfer emissions. In cyclohexane solution, the change of substitution pattern from p,p′ to o,p′ by introduction of boryl at the lateral o‐position rather than the terminal p‐position leads to bathochromism in the absorption and emission spectra. With further variation of the amino position from the terminal p′‐position in o,p′‐substitution to the lateral o′‐position in an o,o′‐substitution pattern, a blueshift was observed in the absorption owing to the less‐efficient conjugation extension of the amino group as the result of sp³ hybridization. It is notable that the emission of the three series of molecules changes with completely different trends. Only the emission of the biphenyl is redshifted further from o,p′‐substituted 1b to o,o′‐substituted 1a , whereas o,o′‐substituted diphenylacetylene 2a maintains almost the same spectrum as that of o,p′‐substituted diphenylacetylene 2b and the fluorescence of o,o′‐substituted stilbene 3a is even blueshifted compared with o,p′‐substituted stilbene 3b . As a result, the o,o′‐substituted biphenyl 1a shows the longest emission wavelength despite the limited conjugation of the parent biphenyl skeleton. The long emission wavelength of 1a may arise from its extremely twisted structure, which would cause a significant structural relaxation in the exited state. In the solid state, 1a still keeps almost the longest emission wavelength. In addition, its quantum yield is also among the highest. The unusual properties, intense solid‐state emission together with long emission wavelength, and particularly large Stokes shift, which are difficult to attain by structural modification of other parent π‐conjugated frameworks, have been achieved by the introduction of boryl and amino groups at the o,o′‐positions of the biphenyl skeleton.     

A new synthesis of novel 1-aryl-3-heteroaryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxalines via a Key Intermediate

The chlorination of the α-hydrazonoester 4 with phosphoryl chloride/pyridine gave 3-[α-(o-chlorophenylhydrazono)methoxycarbonylmethyl]-2-chloroquinoxaline 5 , whose cyclization with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]-7-undecene afforded 3-methoxycarbonyl-1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 6 . The reaction of 6 with hydrazine hydrate provided 3-hydrazinocarbonyl-1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 7 , whose reactions with methyl and allyl isothiocyanates furnished 3-(2,3-dihydro-4-methyl-3-thioxo-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 2 and 3-(4-allyl-2,3-dihydro-3-thioxo-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-1-(o-chloropheny)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 8 , respectively. Moreover, the reactions of 7 with triethyl orthoformate and orthoacetate gave 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-3-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-b]quinoxaline 9a and 1(o-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 9b , respectively.     

Ring-opening reaction of 1,3,4-oxadiazolone and 1,3,4-oxadiazolinethione: Reaction of 2-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one and 2-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione with amines

The ring-opening abilities of amines toward 1,3,4-oxadiazolines, 2-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one ( 1a ) and 2-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione ( 1b ), were investigated with relation to their basicities or pK_b values. Oxadiazolines 1a and 1b were easily reacted with amines such as benzylamine and aniline, but not with p-nitroaniline, to form the corresponding ring-opening adducts. The reactions of both 1a and 1b with o-phenylenediamine produced benzodiazoles with the liberation of benzoylhydrazide, whereas the reactions with o-aminobenzamide furnished quinazolines with the liberation of ammonia. o-Aminophenol and o-aminothiophenol were also reacted with 1a and 1b both of them giving 1,5-dibenzoylcarbohydrazide from 1a and 1,2-dibenzoylhydrazine from 1b. From the conditions affording the corresponding ring-opening adducts or reaction products, the ring-opening abilities of the amines toward 1a and 1b are in good correlation with the strength of their basicities or pK_b values. The ring-opening of oxadiazolines were proved to occur with anilines. Therefore, the other reactions are also supposed to proceed via the ring-opening steps.     

Amido PNP complexes of iridium: Synthesis and catalytic olefin and alkyne hydrogenation

In situ lithiation of HN(o-C₆H₄PPh₂)₂ (H[ 1a ]) or HN(o-C₆H₄PiPr₂)₂ (H[ 1b ]) with nBuLi in THF at −35°C followed by addition of [Ir(μ-Cl)(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in toluene at −35°C generates 5-coordinate [ 1a ]Ir(η⁴-COD) ( 2a ) or 4-coordinate [ 1b ]Ir(η²-COD) ( 2b ), respectively. Oxidative addition of N-H in H[ 1b ] to [Ir(μ-Cl)(COD)]₂ affords square pyramidal [ 1b ]Ir(H)(Cl) ( 3b ). Metathetical reaction of 3b with LiBHEt₃ in the presence of 1 atm of H₂ in toluene produces [ 1b ]Ir(H)₂ ( 4b ). Both 2a and 4b are active for catalytic hydrogenation of olefins and alkynes under extremely mild conditions.     

Coordination of Deprotonated Saccharin in Copper(II) Complexes. Structural Role of the Saccharinate Directed by the Ancillary N‐heterocyclic Ligands

Four different coordination patterns were observed following the partial or complete thermodynamically‐controlled ligand substitution of the hydrated tetraaquabis(o‐sulfobenzimidato‐N)copper(II) complex with heterocyclic bases as examined by X‐ray diffraction. The N‐heterocycle directs the o‐sulfobenzimidate (saccharinate) anion into the immediate coordination polyhedron of the metal by any of the imido, carbonyl or sulfonyl functionalities, or as a lattice counter‐ion in the crystal lattice. Aqua(o‐sulfobenzimidato‐O)tetrakis(4‐methylpyridine)copper(II) o‐sulfobenzimidate hemihydrate ( 1 ) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n [a = 14.7858(2), b = 16.9090(1), c = 26.2350(2)Å; β = 92.861(1)°], aquadi(o‐sulfobenzimidato‐N)bis(4‐propylpyridine)copper(II) ( 2 ) in the tetragonal space group P4₂/n [a = 15.4127(1), c = 13.4604(1)Å], diaquatetrakis(3‐(2‐propenyl)imidazole)copper(II) di‐o‐sulfobenzimidate ( 3b ) in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c [a = 9.3959(5), b = 28.029(2), c = 8.8763(3)Å; β = 111.175(1)°] and di(o‐sulfobenzimidato)tetra(isoquinoline)copper(II) ( 4b ) in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ [a = 23.2132(6), b = 11.5760(2), c = 17.6297(4)Å]. The copper atom in 1 is six‐coordinate in a distorted trans‐N₄O₂Cu octahedron with elongated copper—oxygen bonds [Cu—O_water = 2.462(3), Cu—O_sulfonyl = 2.567(3)Å]. This adduct represents the first example of a combined O_sulfonyl/ionic coordination of the o‐sulfobenzimidate ion in the same crystal. The copper atom in 2 is five‐coordinate in the form of a N₄OCu square pyramid [Cu—O_water = 2.238(5)Å]. In 3 , the o‐sulfobenzimidate anions are linked to the copper atom through the coordinated water molecule forming a distorted octahedral N₄O₂Cu environment. In 4 , the copper atom is nearly octahedrally coordinated by four nitrogen atoms and a pair of o‐sulfobenzimidate carbonyl oxygen atoms. The structural details of the o‐sulfobenzimidate coordination pattern correspond well with the 298 and 77 K FT IR spectra of the adducts. The structures of two other solid adducts, tris(3‐(2‐propenyl)imidazole)copper(II) di‐o‐sulfobenzimidate trihydrate ( 3a ) and diaquabis(o‐sulfobenzimidato‐N)bis(isoquinoline)copper(II) ( 4a ) have been predicted by their spectral features. Alteration of the o‐sulfobenzimidate coordination mode upon changing the heterocycle ligand shows that this moiety is as a convenient polyfunctional structural tool for the construction of functional solids.     

Reaktionen von o-Chinonen mit Aminen und Proteinen. 4. Mitteilung. 7a-Methyl-5,6-dioxo-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydroindol-Derivate aus 4-Methylbrenzcatechin und Enaminen

Reactions of o-Quinones with Amines and Proteins. 7a-Methyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahysroindole Derivatives from 4-Methylcatechol and Enamines Methyl l-[2′-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-7a-methyl-5,6-dioxo-5.6.7,7a-tetrahydro-indole-3-carboxylate ( 1 ) was isolated after the oxidation of 4-methylcatechol with silver ( 1 ) oxide in the presence of b?-alanine methyl ester in glacial acetic acid. The formation of 1 requires in situ dehydrogenation of the b?-aminocarboxylate and addition of the resulting enamine to 4-methyl-1,2-benzoquinone. Reaction of ethyl 3-(phenylamino)crotonate with 4-methyl-1,2-benzoquinone afforded ethyl 2,7a-dimethyl-5,6-dioxo-1-phenyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydroindole-3-carboxylate ( 6 ). Despite the fact that the yields are low, the addition of enamines to o-quinones represents an interesting novel extension of the Nenitzescu-reaction which is well known in the p-quinone series. Compound 1 may be considered as a novel model for the crosslinking of proteins by o-quinones. Formation of 1 was, however, not observed under physiological conditions.     

The synthesis of benzofuroquinolines. I. Some benzofuro[2,3-b]quinoline and benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives

Benzofuro[2,3-b]quinoline ( Ia ) and its 11-methyl derivative ( Ib ) were synthesized by demethylcyclization of 3-(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydroquinolin-2-ones (VIa,b). Benzofuro[2,3-b]quinoline-11-carboxylic acid (Id) was synthesized by chlorination followed by the action of potassium hydroxide of a lactone (IX) prepared by demethyl-cyclization of 3-(o-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acid (VIII). Isomeric benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline (Ha) and its 6-methyl derivative (IIb) were synthesized by demethyl-cyclization of 3-(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-dihydroquinolin-4-ones (XIa,b). Both the methyl derivatives (Ib and IIb) were converted to the carboxylic acids (Id and IId) through condensation with benzaldehyde followed by oxidation. The benzofuroquinolines (Ia,b,d and IIa,b) thus obtained were oxidized to the corresponding N-oxides (IIIa,b,d and IVa,b).     

2‐Arylimino(diferrocenyl)‐ and (di‐p‐anisyl)dihydropyrimidines: Novel Synthesis,Structures, and Electrochemistry

2,3‐Differocenyl‐ and 2,3‐dianisyl‐1‐methylsulfanylcyclopropenilium iodides react with 1,3‐diphenyl‐ and 1,3‐di‐o‐tolylguanidine to give 1‐aryl‐2‐arylimino‐5,6‐ ( 5a , 5b ) and ‐4,5‐diferrocenyl‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines ( 6a , 6b ) (～ 2:1) and, respectively, 5,6‐ and 4,5‐dianisyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐phenylimino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines (～ 2:1). Their structures were established based on the spectroscopic data and X‐ray diffraction analysis of 5,6‐diferrocenyl‐1‐(o‐tolyl)‐2‐(o‐tolyl)imino‐ and 4,5‐diferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐phenylimino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines ( 5b and 6a , respectively). Electrochemical behavior of compounds 5b, 6b, and 5a+6a were investigated using experiments of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. For all the compounds, two electrochemical processes ( I , II ), attributed to the oxidations of the ferrocenes moieties were observed. The values of ΔE^0′ ( II‐I ) and comproportionation constant K_com are also reported. Additionally, an electrochemical oxidation with a fast coupled chemical reaction related to the pyrimide ring was also detected.     

A simple aza wittig-mediated pyrimidine annulation reaction

Treatment of heterocyclic o-aminonitriles and o-aminoesters 1a-5a with dibromotriphenylphosphorane gives iminophosphoranes 1b-5b which undergo a facile aza-Wittig reaction at room temperature with phenyl isocyanate to provide the carbodiimides 1c-5c . Treatment of the latter intermediates with ammonia leads to intramolecular ring closure of the initially formed guanidines to provide the fused 4-aminopyrimidines and 4(3H)-pyrimidinones 1d-Sd .     

Bis(2-t-butylphenyl)phosphonoacetamides for the highly cis-selective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated amides

New Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reagents, (o-t-BuPhO)₂P(O)CH₂CONMe(OMe) and (o-t-BuPhO)₂P(O)CH₂CON(CH₂CH₂) ₂O were prepared via the Arbuzov reaction in good yields. The HWE reaction of these reagents with a variety of aldehydes gave cis-α,β-unsaturated amides with high selectivity in almost quantitative yields.     

New derivatives of dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin‐1‐ones by an efficient synthesis and spectroscopy

An efficient synthesis of four steps to obtain twelve new derivatives of 3,3‐dimethyl‐2,3,4,5,10,11‐hexahydro‐8‐[(o‐; and p‐methoxy)phenoxy]‐11‐[(o‐; and p‐R)phenyl]‐1H‐dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin‐1‐ones IV, 1‐12 with possible biological and pharmacological activity as anticonvulsant and schizophrenia treatment in the central nervous system (CNS). The final products were obtained by condensation and cyclization between 3‐{4‐[(o‐; and p‐methoxy)phenoxy]‐1,2‐phenylenediamine}‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐cyclohexenone with (o‐; and p‐R)benzaldehyde. The structure of all products was corroborated by spectroscopy of ir, ¹H‐nmr, ¹³C‐nmr, with bidimensional experiments and MS in Low and high resolution with Collision‐Induced Dissociation experiments (CID).     

On the behavior of α-brominated dimethyl o-benzenediacetate toward nitrogen nucleophiles . Part I. Reaction of dimethyl α,α'-dibromo o-benzenediacetate with hydrazines

Meso- ( 1a ) and racemic dimethyl α,α'-dibromo o-benzenediacetate ( 1b ) when condensed with hydrazine and methylhydrazine furnished respectively 1,3-dicarbomethoxyisoindole ( 5a ) and its N-methyl derivative ( 5b ). Reaction of phenylhydrazine with 1a led to the N-phenylisoindole ( 5c ) and to the N-anilino isoindoline ( 6 ) as the cis isomer; conversely, 1b was transformed into a mixture of the 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophthalazine ( 7 ), the trans isomer of ( 6 ), the N-anilinoisoindole ( 5d ) and dimethyl α-(N'-phenylhydrazino)-o-benzenediacetate ( 8 ). Compounds 1a and 1b were also condensed with acetylhydrazine to give a mixture of the N-acetylaminoisoindoline ( 12 ) and of the 2-acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophthalazine ( 13 ).     

The novel one step syntheses of benzobis- and benzotris[1,2,5]thiadiazole

The reaction of tetrasulfur tetranitride with alkoxybenzenes such as anisole ( 1a ), o- ( 1b ), m-( 1c ), p-dimethoxybenzenes ( 1d ), and benzyl ether ( 1e ) was investigated. Benzo[1,2-c:3,4-c′ :5,6-c ]-tris[1,2,5]thiadiazole ( 2 ) and benzo[1,2, c:3,4-c′ ]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazoles ( 3a and 3b ) were isolated. J. Chem. Soc., 14, 963 (1977)     

The crystal and molecular structure of sym-trans-DI-μ-acetatobis[o-(t)-butyl-o-tolylphosphino)benzyl]dipalladium-(II) a complex formed by an internal metallation reaction

The structure of [Pd(OAc){CH₂C₆H₄P-t-Bu(o-tolyl)}]₂ has been determined from three dimensional X-ray diffractometer data. The compound crystallizes in the space group P , Z = 2, with a reduced triclinic unit cell a = 12.989, b = 15.643, c = 20.325 Å, α = 130.85, β = 117.91, γ = 94.08°. A least squares refinement of atomic positional and thermal parameters, based on 5436 observed reflections has converged to discrepancy indices, R₁ and R₂, of 0.044 and 0.058.The structure consists of independent dimeric molecules packed with cyclohexane molecules of crystallization. [o-(t-butyl-o-tolylphosphino)benzyl]palladium(II) fragments are bridged by the two acetate groups so that each palladium has a slightly distorted planar coordination; the molecule has approximate C₂ symmetry with a Pd…Pd non-bonding distance of 3.413(1) Å. The mean Pd-P and Pd-C bond lengths are 2.204(2) and 2.033(5) Å respectively, other mean distances being Pd-O 2.13(1), C-C(methyl) 1.497(4), O-C(acetate) 1.247(6). C-C(benzyl) 1.497(7) Å. The solvated cyclohexane molecules are disordered.     

4‐Toluenesulfonamide as a Building Block for Synthesis of Novel Triazepines,Pyrimidines, and Azoles

N‐{(E)‐(dimethylamino)methylidenearbamothioyl}‐4‐toluenesulfonamide ( 2 ) was obtained by reaction of N‐carbamothioyl‐4‐toluenesulfonamide ( 1 ) with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal or alternatively by the reaction of 1‐(dimethylamino)methylidenethiourea with tosyl chloride. Compound 2 was reacted with substituted anilines to yield anilinomethylidine derivatives 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g . Treatment of 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g with phenacyl bromide gave triazepines 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g and imidazoles 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g . Esterification of compound 3e afforded ester derivative 6 , which was subjected to react with hydrazine to yield hydrazide derivative 7 . Oxadiazole 8 was obtained by reaction of 7 with CS₂/KOH. Compound 3e was treated with o‐aminophenol or o‐aminothiophenol to give benzazoles 9a , 9b . N‐(Diaminomethylidene)‐4‐toluenesulfonamide ( 10 ) reacted with enaminones to yield pyrimidines 11 , 12 , 13 , respectively. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by elemental and spectral analyses. Some selected compounds were screened for their in vitro antifungal activity. In general, the newly synthesized compounds showed good antifungal activity.     

Thermische Cyclodehydratisierung von Salicylalkoholen; eine einfache Synthese von 4-substituierten 2H-Chromenen

Heating of 1-(o-hydroxyaryl)-2-propen-1-ols ( 9–13 ; see scheme 1) in diglyme solution at 147° leads to a 1,4-elimination of water to yield ω-vinyl-o-quinomethides ( b ; see scheme 2) as intermediates which cyclise rapidly to form 2H-chromenes ( 17–21 ). 1-(o-Hydroxyphenyl)-5-hexen-1-ol ( 14 ) on heating at 147° is transformed into o-(1,5-hexadienyl)-phenol ( 23 ). This phenol rearranges at higher temperature (270°) in N,N-diethylaniline to yield a mixture of 2,4-propanochromane ( 25 ) and cis- and trans-3,4-propanochromane (cis- and trans- 26 ). The kinetically controlled ratio of these compounds is 2,8:1:2,9. The formation of 25 and 26 can be explained by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction (see scheme 3).