Reactions of the 1-hydroxy-1,4-dimethylcyclohexadienyl cation, an intermediate in the solvolysis of 1,4-dimethyl-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ol

Abstract

Solvolysis of 1,4-dimethyl-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ol in mixed aqueous organic solvents gives the diastereomers of 1,4-dimethylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diol, 1,4-dimethylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol, 2-nitro-p-xylene, 2,4-dimethylphenol (all derived from the title cation, itself formed by ionization of the nitro group as nitrite), and 2,5-dimethylphenol. In aqueous methanol the diastereomers of 4-methoxy-1,4-dimethylcyclohexa-2,5-dienol are also obtained. Significant yields of 2,5-dimethylphenol are only obtained on the acid-catalysed further reaction of the dienediol (or the methoxydienol) and involve the intermediate formation of 1,4-dimethylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol. In the absence of added base the acid released in the solvolysis catalyses this reaction and leads to the aromatization of the dienes.