摘要:
Anodic oxidation of 4-phenylphenol in methanol leads to 4-methoxy-4-phenylcyclohexa-2,5-dienones whereas anodic oxidation of 4-(2-alkenylphenyl)-phenols leads to spirocyclic 2,5-cyclohexadienones in competition with methanol addition to the 4-position. Using 4-phenylphenol and (4-(2-propenylphenyl)phenol as model systems, the optimum conditions for solvent addition versus carbon-carbon bond formation have been studied. The yield of the anodic cyclization reaction shows a dramatic dependence on olefin structure. Whereas 4-(2-propenylphenyl)phenol gives the spirocyclic 2,5-cyclohexadienone in high yield, 4-(2-vinylphenyl)phenol affords the analogous product in only 16 % yield. This low yield of intramolecular carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions can be markedly improved if the vinyl substituent is forced closer to the 4-position of the phenol by the buttressing effect of a o-methyl group. Coloumetric studies as well as the oxidation chemistry of a (4-hydroxyphenyl)(2-propenylaryl)methane derivative support the involvement of a phenoxonium ion as the intermediate in these carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. Finally, non-oxidative generation of a phenoxonium ion by reaction of 4-hydroxy-4-(2-propenylphenyl)2,5-cyclohexadieneone with methanesulfonyl chloride/triethylamine leads to spirodienones related to those isolated in the anodic oxidation chemistry. Although a slightly acidic media is critical for obtaining good yields of spirodienones for the propenyl system, anodic oxidation of the trimethylsilyl derivatives of the phenol allows this reaction to be performed in neutral or slightly basic media.