Synthesis and reaction of 1,2,4-trioxanes

Abstract

The peroxides (1a–e) and epoxides (2a–g) in methylene dichloride were treated with tungsten(VI) oxide and then with catalytic amounts of chlorosulphonic acid to give the corresponding 1,2,4-trioxanes (3a–r) in 10–63% yield. The mode of decomposition of the 1,2,4-trioxanes was studied by treating a number with the following reagents: triethylamine, sodium ethoxide, lithium di-isopropylamide, Grignard and lithium reagents, lithium aluminium hydride, anthrylsodium, triphenylphosphine, and titanium tetrachloride.