Syntheses of Diarylmethanes Via an Oxidative Benzylic Functionalization of P‐Alkyl Phenol Derivatives Under Quaternary Ammonium Hypoiodite Catalysis

Abstract

AbstractWe herein report two strategies for the quaternary ammonium hypoiodite‐mediated oxidative benzylic functionalization of p‐alkyl phenol derivatives. By using either dibenzoylperoxide or H2O2 in hexafluoroisopropanol in the presence of tetrabutyl ammonium iodide gives access to activated intermediates which can then be coupled with electron‐rich aromatic compounds. Overall, this sequential two‐step one‐pot procedure gives access to diversely decorated diarylmethane derivatives straightforwardly. Furthermore, the suitability of these products to undergo further oxidation reactions was successfully demonstrated.