2,2'-Dimethylbiphenyl → 6-(4-Methylphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

The Grignard reagent (1 M in ether, 5.0 mmol) was placed under vacuum to remove all volatiles. Toluene (5.0 mL) was then added to the Grignard reagent. In a separate reaction flask was placed NiCl2(PPh3)2 (62.0 mg, 0.0948 mmol), tridecane (282 mg, 1.532 mmol, as an internal standard), and 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (334 mg, 2.059 mmol). The Grignard reagent in toluene was then transferred to this mixture under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature. The resulting solution was warmed to 110° C. for 15 hours. A sample was withdrawn and quenched with an aqueous sodium citrate solution (1 M). The aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. GC analysis of the organic phase showed the presence of 6-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (0.598 mmol, 29% yield), bitoluene (0.419 mmol), and 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (1.043 mmol) in the reaction mixture.

Provenance & Evidence