The synthesis of phenolic cryptands–efficient acid catalysis in a molecular cavity
Abstract
The reaction of 1,3-bisbromomethyl-2-methoxy benzene with diaza-15-crown-5 or diaza-18-crown-6 in acetonitrile gives the phenolic cryptands 6a and 6c; it is shown that the formation of 6a involves the methoxy cryptand salt 9 which undergoes efficient demethylation by bromide anion as a result of acid catalysis within the cavity of the cryptand system.