Catechol → (1,1'-Biphenyl)-2,3'-diol

Participants

Reaction Steps

In this two step synthesis, the first step is the reaction of bis-2-chloroethyl ether with catechol and sodium hydroxide in water. An excess of catechol and a controlled amount of base are used to produce the diphenol (j) without employing a blocking group. The diphenol (j) precipitates from the reaction solution and is washed with water to remove contaminating catechol. The diphenol (j) is then recrystallized from methanol. Based upon the limiting reagent bis-2-chloroethyl ether (i) 40% yields (200 gs) of diphenol (j) have been obtained.

Provenance & Evidence