Chemoselectivity in the reaction of metal phenolates with aromatic dialdehydes

Abstract

Oxophilic metal phenolates undergo highly selective condensations with aromatic dialdehydes to produce compounds 6, 7, 11 and 12 resulting from di- or tetra-attack, depending upon the phenolaldehyde molar ratio. 1,4-Anthraquinones 17 were synthesized by allowing 1,4-hydroquinones to react with phthalaldehyde (OPA).