| abstract |
The invention relates to the preparation of 5- (quaternary alkyl) resorcinols and the intermediates thereof. 2,6-dimethoxyphenol is reacted with a tertiary alcohol in the presence of an acid to produce exclusively a 1-hydroxy-2,6 -dimethoxy-4- (quaternary alkyl) benzene, which when reacted with a halogenated disubstituted phosphite provides disubstituted 2,6-dimethoxy-4- (quaternary alkyl) phenyl phosphate. Reduction of phenyl phosphate by reaction with an alkali metal affords 1- (quaternary alkyl) -3,5-dimethoxybenzene which on reaction with a demethylating agent affords 5- (quaternary alkyl) -resorcinol. 5- (Quaternary alkyl) resorcinols are intermediates useful in the preparation of 1-hydroxy-3-alkyldibenzo-pyran derivatives having biological activity. |