Convenient synthesis of novel cyclophanes having plural hydroquinone or benzoquinone units from cyclic polyethers

This paper reports a facile way to prepare novel cyclophanes from cyclic po lyethers (1). Cyclic polyethers (1) composed of functional methallyl 2,3-di methylhydroquinone diether subunits were prepared by the reaction of 2,3-di methylhydroquinone with methallyl dichloride. Cyclophanes having plural hyd roquinone or benzoquinone units were obtained directly in high yields by th e rearrangement and/or subsequent oxidation of the cyclic polyethers (1). ( C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.