Studies on sesquiterpenoids—III: Some derivatives of guaiol

Abstract

When guaiol was dehydrated with such reagents as thionyl chloride-pyridine, phosphorus oxychloride-pyridine or potassium bisulphate, the isopropenyl derivative (IIa) was always obtained as a main product, together with a small amount of IIb. Catalytic reduction of IIa in alkaline media afforded α-dihydroguaiene (V), while in neutral or acid media it gave a mixture of V and its double bond isomer (VI).