Synthesis of E-1-(alkoxy-NNO-azoxy)-2-arylethenes by the reaction of bis(alkoxy-NNO-azoxy)methanes with benzyl halides under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis

Abstract

Reaction of bis(methoxy- and ethoxy-NNO-azoxy)methane with benzyl halides and alkali under the conditions of a phase-transfer catalysis furnishes in one stage E-1-(alkoxy-NNO-azoxy)-2-arylethene in 21–55% yields. The intermediate products, 1,1-bis(alkoxy-NNO-azoxy)-2-arylethanes under the action of alkali eliminate one of the two alkoxy-NNO-azoxy groups with the formation of a double bond. The optimum solvent is DMSO, and as benzyl halides, benzyl chlorides. In the case of 4-bromobenzyl bromide a formation was found of a side bisbenzylation product, 1,3-bis(4-bromophenyl)-2,2-bis(methoxy-NNO-azoxy)propane.