AN EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF PERI-HYDROXY AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS - A STRONG BASE-INDUCED [4-PHENYLTHIO-SUBSTITUTED HOMOPHTHALIC ANHYDRIDES WITH VARIOUS SULFINYL-SUBSTITUTED DIENOPHILES(2]CYCLOADDITION OF 4)

As an extension of the strong base-induced [4+2]cycloaddition of homop hthalic anhydrides studied previously, we found a general and versatil e synthesis of p-phenylthio substituted phenols by the reaction of 4-p henylthio-substituted homophthalic anhydrides and various dienophiles. The use of the sulfinyl-substituted dienophile is essential to produc e the desired reaction under mild conditions in good yield.