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Synthesis of 1,4-, 2,4-, and 3,4-dimethylphenanthrenes: A novel deoxygenation of arene 1,4-endoxides with trimethylsilyl iodide

Journal Article · · Journal of Organic Chemistry; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00285a011· OSTI ID:7071043

A mild, efficient synthesis of the carcinogen 1,4-dimethylphenanthrene (2) and its bay-region methyl-bearing regioisomers 2,4-dimethyl- and 3,4-dimethylphenanthrenes (3 and 4) is described. The synthesis involves a generally applicable strategy that features a furan/dimethyl-1-naphthyne cycloaddition reaction followed by a convenient direct deoxygenation of the resulting enooxide with excess trimethylsilyl iodide generated in situ. The Friedel-Crafts cyclization of p-xylene with {gamma}-butyrolactone/AlCl{sub 3} or {gamma}-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)butyric acid via its trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride derivative results in the formation of a mixture of 5,8-, 6,8-, and 5,7-dimethyl-1-tetralones (17, 20, and 21, respectively) through migration of aromatic methyl groups. The precursor to 6,8-dimethyl-1-naphthyne (10) was prepared from tetralone 20, isolable only as a 5:1 inseparable mixture with 17 from the direct Friedel-Crafts cyclization of p-xylene with {gamma}-butyrolactone, by {alpha}-dibromination with CuBr{sub 2}, dehydrobromination, and tosylation. The precursors to 5,8-dimethyl-1-naphthyne (9) and 7,8-dimethyl-1-naphthyne (11) were synthesized from the corresponding 1-naphthols 15 and 31, respectively. The synthesis of these naphthols involved cycloaddition between the corresponding dimethylated benzyne and furan followed by acid-catalyzed isomerization.

OSTI ID:
7071043
Journal Information:
Journal of Organic Chemistry; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Organic Chemistry; (USA) Vol. 54:24; ISSN JOCEA; ISSN 0022-3263
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English