Chlorous acid oxidation of trifluoromethylphenols: cyclopentenolones by benzilic acid ring contraction
Abstract
The formation of 2-chloro-2-trifluoromethylcyclopentane-1,3-dione (1) in the chlorous acid oxidation of 2- and 3-trifluoromethylphenol is shown to proceed via decarboxylation of 5-chloro-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-5-trifluoromethylcyclopent-2-enecarboxylic acid (4), an isolable compound.