Oxidation reactions of some natural volatile aromatic compounds: Anethole and eugenol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1134/S1070428008060079

trans-Anethole [1-methoxy-4-(trans-prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene] was isolated from anise seed oil (Pimpinella anisum). Its photochemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide gave the corresponding epoxy derivative together with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. The thermal oxidation of trans-anethole with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid at room temperature resulted in the formation of dimeric epoxide, 2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane, as the only product. Photochemical oxygenation of trans-anethole in the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin, Rose Bengal, or chlorophyll as sensitizer led to a mixture of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl hydroperoxide and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Eugenol was isolated from clove oil [Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.)]. It was converted into 2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl hydroperoxide by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide under irradiation. Thermal oxidation of eugenol with 3-chloroperoxypenzoic acid at room temperature produced 2-methoxy-4-(oxiran-2- ylmethyl)phenol, while sensitized photochemical oxygenation (in the presence of Rose Bengal or chlorophyll) gave 4-hydroperoxy-2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl) cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one.

Full text of DOI:10.1134/S1070428008060079

ISSN 1070-4280, Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 823–829. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2008.
Published in Russian in Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 834–841.
Oxidation Reactions of Some Natural Volatile Aromatic
Compounds: Anethole and Eugenol*
E. M. Elgendya and S. A. Khayyatb
a Faculty of Specific Education, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
e-mail: eman_elgendy@hotmail.com
b Faculty of Educational’s Girls, Ministry of Education, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Received September 30, 2006
Abstract—trans-Anethole [1-methoxy-4-(trans-prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene] was isolated from anise seed oil
(Pimpinella anisum). Its photochemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide gave the corresponding epoxy
derivative together with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. The thermal oxidation of trans-anethole with 3-chloroper-
oxybenzoic acid at room temperature resulted in the formation of dimeric epoxide, 2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-
3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane, as the only product. Photochemical oxygenation of trans-anethole in the presence of
tetraphenylporphyrin, Rose Bengal, or chlorophyll as sensitizer led to a mixture of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-
en-1-yl hydroperoxide and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Eugenol was isolated from clove oil [Eugenia caryo-
phyllus (Spreng.)]. It was converted into 2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl hydroperoxide by oxidation with
hydrogen peroxide under irradiation. Thermal oxidation of eugenol with 3-chloroperoxypenzoic acid at room
temperature produced 2-methoxy-4-(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)phenol, while sensitized photochemical oxygenation
(in the presence of Rose Bengal or chlorophyll) gave 4-hydroperoxy-2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)cyclohexa-
2,5-dien-1-one.
DOI: 10.1134/S1070428008060079
Many naturally occurring alkenylbenzene deriva-
tives, usually relatively simple allyl- or propenylben-
zenes having methoxy and/or methylenedioxy substit-
uents in the benzene ring, have been identified as com-
ponents of numerous plants or their essential oils [1, 2]
and used as natural flavoring and fragrance chemicals.
Microbial metabolism of phenylpropenoids involves
oxidation of the side chain to carboxylic acid prior to
hydroxylation and cleavage of the benzene ring. For
example, eugenol is oxidized to vanillic acid [3]. On
the other hand, plant phenylpropenoides undergo
oxidation on exposure to air. The oxidation process is
enhanced by heat, irradiation [4], or in the presence of
catalysts [5].
Taking into account important activities of plant
phenylpropenoides and contradictory published data
on epoxidation of anethole (I), in the present work we
studied in detail oxidation reactions of trans-anethole
(I) and eugenol (II) under different conditions (thermal
and photochemical).
trans-Anethole [1-methoxy-4-(trans-prop-1-en-1-
yl)benzene, I] is the major component of several
essential oils, including Chinese Star Anise (Illicium
verum), Anise seed oil (Pimpinella anisum), and sweet
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. dulce) [8]. The
chemical structure of I was confirmed by spectral
1
measurements. The H NMR spectrum of I showed
a doublet at δ 1.86 from protons in the methyl group,
and side-chain olefinic protons on C2′ and C1′ resonat-
ed, respectively, as a doublet of quartets at δ 6.08 ppm
and a doublet at δ 6.34 ppm. In the 13C NMR spectrum
of I, the C2′ and C1′ signals were located at δC 123.5
and 130.5 ppm, respectively.
Mohan and Whalen [6] reported that oxidation of
anethole (I) with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid gives
epoxy derivative Ib. Waumans et. al. [7] found that
analogous reaction with hydrogen peroxide in presence
of formic or acetic acid on heating leads to 3,5-bis(4-
methoxyphenyl)-2,4-dimethyltelrahydrofuran and that
intermediate epoxide Ib could not be isolated.
Photochemical epoxidation of trans-anethole (I)
with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 30% by volume) in
ethanolic medium under irradiation with sodium light
(irradiation time 55 h) to give 65% of 4-methoxybenz-
* The text was submitted by the authors in English.
823

ELGENDY, KHAYYAT
824
Scheme 1.
O
Me
CHO
Me
1' 2'
H2O2, hν
+
MeO
MeO
MeO
Ia
Ib
3-ClC6H4CO3H
CHCl3, 0°C
Me
O
OMe
O
MeO
Me
I
Ic
OOH
3'
CH2
1O2, TPP
hν, –5°C
1'
2'
Ia
+
MeO
Id
aldehyde (Ia) and 35% of monoepoxy derivative,
2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyloxirane (Ib) (Scheme 1).
(C2′) and 71.4 ppm (C1′). The mass spectrum of Ib
contained the molecular ion peak at m/z 164.
Thermal oxidation of trans-anethole (I) with
m-choroperoxybenzoic acid in chloroform at room
temperature gave 2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-di-
methyl-1,4-dioxane (Ic) as the only product in almost
The structure of epoxidation products Ia and Ib
was established by spectral measurements. The IR
spectrum of Ia contained an absorption band at
1699 cm–1 due to the aldehyde carbonyl group, and the
1
1
quantitative yield (Scheme 1). The H NMR spectrum
CHO proton signal appeared in the H NMR spectrum
of Ic contained a six-proton doublet at δ 1.19 ppm
from the methyl protons, a doublet of quartets at
δ 4.27 ppm from protons in positions 3 and 6 of the
dioxane ring, and a doublet at δ 5.82 ppm from protons
in positions 2 and 5. Signals at δC 70.1 and 81.5 ppm in
the 13C NMR spectrum of Ic were assigned to C3/C6
and C2/C5 in the 1,4-dioxane ring. The molecular ion
of Ic had an m/z value of 328.
as a singlet at δ 9.86 ppm; no signals assignable to
protons at the anethole side-chain double CH=CH
bond were present. The aldehyde carbonyl carbon atom
13
resonated in the C NMR spectrum at δC 190.7 ppm,
and the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum of Ia
had an m/z value of 136. Compound Ib displayed in
1
the H NMR spectrum a doublet at δ 0.96 ppm from
the CH3 group in the oxirane ring, a doublet of quartets
at δ 3.36 ppm from 2′-H, and a doublet at δ 3.90 ppm
from 1′-H. In the 13C NMR spectrum of Ib, signals
from the oxirane carbon atoms were present at δC 64.1
Interestingly, the photoinduced oxygenation of
compound I in the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin
(TPP), Rose Bengal (RB), or chlorophyll (CP) as
Scheme 2.
H
H
O
O
O
O
O
Me
Me
CHO
–H2
–MeCHO
MeO
MeO
MeO
A
Ia
H2O2, hν
I
H
OH
Me
O
Me
–H2O
MeO
MeO
B
Ib
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Vol. 44 No. 6 2008

OXIDATION REACTIONS OF SOME NATURAL VOLATILE AROMATIC COMPOUNDS:
825
Scheme 3.
O
O
3-ClC6H4
O
H
O
3-ClC6H4CO3H
CHCl3
Me
Me
I
–3-ClC6H4COOH
MeO
MeO
Ib
Me
Me
O
OMe
O
MeO
OMe
O
MeO
O
Me
Me
Ic
Scheme 4.
O
H
OOH
O
CH2
MeO
MeO
MeO
1O2, hν
Id
–5°C
I
O
O
Me
CHO
–MeCHO
MeO
A
Ia
singlet oxygen sensitizer led to the formation of
1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-prop-2-en-l-yl hydroperoxide
(Id) together with aldehyde Ia (Scheme 1). Compound
benzoic acid at room temperature according to [6],
were unsuccessful. In all cases, the only isolated prod-
uct was 1,4-dioxane derivative Ic which could be
formed via dimerization of epoxide Ib (Scheme 3).
Scheme 4 illustrates a probable mechanism of photo-
sensitized oxygenation of trans-anethole (I) in the
presence of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), Rose Bengal
(RB), or chlorophyll (CP), leading to the formation of
hydroperoxide Id and aldehyde Ia. Presumably, the
process involves peroxirane and dioxetane interme-
diates, respectively.
1
Id showed in the H NMR spectrum a doublet at
δ 3.90 ppm from the side-chain allylic proton at C1′,
a two-proton doublet of doublets at δ 5.35 from the C3′
H2 group, a complex multiplet at δ 6.05 ppm from
2′-H, and a singlet at δ 8.60 ppm due to proton in the
hydroperoxide group.
A probable mechanism for the formation of alde-
hyde Ia and epoxy derivatives Ib in the photochemical
oxidation of trans-anethole (I) with hydrogen peroxide
is shown in Scheme 2. Attack by hydrogen peroxide on
the side-chain double bond in molecule I gives diox-
etane intermediate A which decomposes to form acet-
aldehyde and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (Ia). Alterna-
tively, the reaction of I with H2O2 could involve
oxirane intermediate B, and elimination of water mole-
cule from the latter yields oxirane Ib. Numerous at-
tempts to obtain epoxide Ib under thermal conditions,
in particular by reaction of I with m-chloroperoxy-
Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol, II) is the major
component of the essential oil extracted from Eugenia
Caryophyllus (Myrtaceae) [9]. The chemical structure
of II was confirmed by spectral measurements. The
1H NMR spectrum of II contains a doublet from the
C1′H2 group at δ 3.31 ppm, a doublet of doublets at
δ 5.05 ppm from two methylene protons in position 3′,
and a multiplet at δ 5.94 ppm which is characteristic of
the side-chain 2′-H proton. In the mass spectrum of II
the molecular ion peak with m/z 164 was observed.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Vol. 44 No. 6 2008

ELGENDY, KHAYYAT
826
Scheme 5.
CH2
MeO
H2O2, hν
HOO
IIa
3-ClC6H4CO3H
CHCl3
CH2
MeO
HO
MeO
HO
O
II
IIb
OOH
OOH
1O2, RB
hν, –5°C
MeO
O
MeO
O
CH2
OOH
IIc
IId
Photochemical epoxidation of eugenol (II) with
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 30 % by volume) in etha-
nolic medium using sodium lamp gave 4-allyl-2-meth-
oxyphenyl hydroperoxide (IIa) in ~45% yield, while
no other products were detected (Scheme 5). The
structure of hydroperoxide IIa was determined on the
tained a doublet of doublets at δ 2.54 from one proton
of the methylene group on C3′, a complex multiplet at
δ 2.78 ppm from the other proton on C3′, a doublet at
δ 2.80 ppm from the C1′H2 group, and a complex
multiplet at δ 3.13 ppm from 2′-H. The molecular ion
in the mass spectrum of IIb had an m/z 180.
1
basis of spectral measurements. The H–1H COSY
On the other hand, photochemical oxygenation of
compound IIa in presence of Rose Bengal (RB) or
chlorophyll (CP) as singlet oxygen sensitizer gave
4-hydroperoxy-2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)cyclo-
hexa-2,5-dien-1-one (IIc), while no other photooxida-
tion products were detected even when the irradiation
time was prolonged (Scheme 5). The yields are given
in table. The IR spectrum of IIc contained an absorp-
tion band at 1690 cm–1 due to stretching vibrations of
spectrum showed a doublet of doublets at δ 3.27 ppm
from the allylic methylene group in position 1′, a dou-
blet of doublets at δ 5.04 ppm from the methylene
protons in position 3', a complex pattern at δ 5.93 ppm
typical of proton in position 2′ of the allylic side chain,
and a singlet at δ 8.32 ppm from the hydroperoxide
proton. Hydroperoxide IIa showed in the mass spec-
trum the molecular ion peak at m/z 180.
1
When epoxidation of compound II was carried out
using m-choroperoxybenzoic acid in chloroform at
room temperature, we obtained 2-methoxy-4-oxiranyl-
methylphenol (IIb) as the only product in quantitative
the carbonyl group. In the H NMR spectrum of IIc,
we observed a complex pattern at δ 2.53 ppm from
the methylene protons on C1′, a doublet of doublets at
δ 5.13 ppm from the terminal side-chain methylene
group (C3′H2), a multiplet at δ 5.67 ppm from 2′-H, and
a singlet at δ 8.73 ppm from the hydroperoxide group.
Compound IIc displayed the molecular ion peak at
m/z 196 in the mass spectrum.
1
yield (Scheme 5). The H NMR spectrum of IIb con-
Photosensitized oxygenation of trans-anethole (I) and
eugenol (II) in the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP),
Rose Bengal (RB), and chlorophyll (CP)
Youssef [10] found that photosensitized oxygena-
tion of eugenol (II) in the presence of tetraphenylpor-
phyrin gave 4-hydroperoxy-2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-
1-yl)cyclo-hexa-2,5-dien-1-one (IIc) which was con-
verted into 4-hydroperoxy-4-(3-hydroperoxyprop-1-
en-1-yl)-2-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone (IId) upon
prolonged irradiation. In our experiments on oxygena-
tion of eugenol (II) using Rose Bengal (RB) or chloro-
phyll (CP) as singlet oxygen sensitizer instead of TPP
hydroperoxide IIc was the only product: neither com-
Initial
Reaction Yield,
comp. Solvent Sensitizer
no.
Product (ratio)
time, h
%
I
CHCl3
EtOH
CHCl3
EtOH
CHCl3
TPP
RB
CP
05
08
12
11
16
60 Ia, Id (38 : 62)
33 Ia, Id (39 : 61)
40 Ia, Id (35 : 65)
35 IIc
II
RB
CP
42 IIc
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Vol. 44 No. 6 2008

OXIDATION REACTIONS OF SOME NATURAL VOLATILE AROMATIC COMPOUNDS:
827
Scheme 6.
hν
CH2
CH2
MeO
MeO
·
2OH
·
H2O2
OH
·
O
HOO
C
IIa
MeO
HO
3-ClC6H4CO3H
CHCl3
MeO
HO
O
II
–3-ClC6H4CO2H
O
O
H
O
3-ClC6H4
IIb
H+
O
O
OOH
CH2
MeO
MeO
MeO
1O2, hν, –5°C
O
CH2
CH2
O
H
O
O
O
IIc
D
some adverse effects in living cells. Therefore, it
seems to be relevant to elucidate biological conse-
quences of hydroperoxides Id, IIa, and IIc with DNA
and other cell components. The genotoxicity of such
DNA intercalators possessing an additional oxidative
potential was not studied previously.
pound IIa nor IId was detected even after prolonged
irradiation. The mechanisms of formation of products
IIa, IIb, and IIc may be illustrated by Scheme 6,
according to which photochemical decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide generates two hydroxyl radicals.
One OH· radical abstracts hydrogen atom from the
phenolic hydroxy group in molecule II to give H2O
and phenoxy radical C. Combination of the latter with
the second OH· radical produces hydroperoxide IIa.
The other hydroperoxide derivative, compound IIc is
most likely to be formed through endoperoxide inter-
mediate D. Presumably, the oxidation of II with
m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid involves intermediate ox-
irane like B (Scheme 2), and elimination of m-chloro-
benzoic acid leads to oxirane IIb.
EXPERIMENTAL
The IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin–Elmer 16
FPC FT-IR spectrophotometer from samples prepared
1
as thin films. The H and 13C NMR spectra were
measured from solutions in CDCl3 on a Bruker Avance
DPX 400 spectrometer. The mass spectra were
obtained on a Joel JMS 600H instrument coupled with
a Hewlett–Packard HP 6890 Series gas chromatograph
(HP-5 column, 30 m×0.32 mm×0.25 μm; cross-linked
5% dimethylpolysiloxane). A Philips G/5812 SON
sodium lamp was used as irradiation source for photo-
chemical reactions. Analytical and preparative thin-
layer chromatography was performed on Polygram SIL
G/W 254 silica gel (Mecherey-Nagel). Solvents were
removed from the reaction mixtures and extracts using
a rotary evaporator (20°C, 15 mm). trans-Anethole (I)
was extracted from oil of Pimpinalla anisum (Apiaceae)
plant, and eugenol (II) was extracted from Eugenia
Caryophyllus (Myrtaceae) plant.
It is known that some hydroperoxides induce photo-
chemical DNA damage [11, 12]. A sample of DNA
was mixed with a solution of compound Id or IIc, and
the resulting mixture was irradiated using a sodium
lamp. The results (see Experimental) clearly indicated
that compounds Id and IIc induce a moderate to high
degree of DNA degradation when the irradiation time
is longer than 8 h.
We can conclude that the oxidation of trans-
anethole and eugenol can be effected under photo-
chemical conditions using hydrogen peroxide to obtain
either epoxy or hydroperoxy derivatives. Novel hydro-
peroxides can also be obtained by photosensitized
oxygenation. Probably, such hydroperoxides are gen-
erated in situ upon irradiation of anethole or eugenol in
the presence of DNA, and they can be responsible for
1-Methoxy-4-(trans-prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene (I,
trans-anethole). Colorless solid, mp. 20°C, C10H12O
(M 148.206). IR spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3019, 2965, 2836,
1
1607, 1510, 1235, 1171, 1030. H NMR spectrum, δ,
ppm: 1.86 d (3H, CH3, J =7 Hz), 3.78 s (3H, OCH3),
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Vol. 44 No. 6 2008

ELGENDY, KHAYYAT
828
6.08 d.q (1H, 2′-H, J = 7, 16 Hz), 6.34 d (1H, 1′-H, J =
16 Hz), 6.82 d (2H, 2-H, 6-H, J = 8 Hz), 7.25 d (2H,
55.3 (OCH3), 64.1 (C2′), 71.4 (C1′), 113.8 (C3, C5),
128.7 (C2, C6), 132 (C1), 163 (C4). GC–MS data:
retention time 12.075 min; m/z (Irel, %): 164 (100) [M]
+, 149 (30) [M – CH3]+, 133 (20) [M – OCH3]+, 119 (3)
[M – C2H5O]+, 103 (30) [C8H7]+, 93 (5) [C6H5O]+, 92
(3) [C6H4O]+, 77 (30) [C6H5]+, 65 (15) [C5H5]+.
13
3-H, 5-H, J = 8 Hz). C NMR spectrum, δC, ppm: 19
(CH3), 55 (OCH3), 114 (C2, C6), 123.5 (C2′), 127 (C3,
C5), 130.5 (C1′), 131 (C4), 159 (C1).
2-Methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenol (II, euge-
nol). Colorless oil, C10H12O2 (M 164.238). IR spec-
trum, ν, cm–1: 3518, 3073, 2976, 1838, 1639, 1614,
2-Methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenyl hydroper-
oxide (IIa). Yield 0.41 g (100%), colorless oil,
C10H12O3 (M 180.238). IR spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3520,
1
1500, 1363, 1153, 1030. H NMR spectrum, δ, ppm:
1
3057, 2922, 2831, 1602, 1521, 1365, 1144. H NMR
3.31 d (2H, 1′-H, J = 8 Hz), 3.85 s (3H, OCH3), 5.05
d.d (2H, 3′-H, J = 12, 8 Hz), 5.57 s (1H, OH), 5.94 m
(1H, 2′-H), 6.68 m (2H, 3-H, 6-H), 6.84 d (1H, 5-H,
J = 8 Hz,). 13C NMR spectrum, δC, ppm: 40 (C1′), 55.9
(OCH3), 111.3 (C3′), 114.6 (C6), 115.6 (C3), 121.5 (C5),
132 (C4), 138 (C2′), 144 (C2), 146.9 (C1).
spectrum (1H–1H COSY; DMSO-d6), δ, ppm: 3.27 d.d
(2H, 1′-H, J = 16, 8 Hz), 3.73 s (3H, OCH3), 5.01 d
(1H, 3′-H, J = 8 Hz), 5.09 d (1H, 3′-H, J = 20 Hz),
5.93 m (1H, 2′-H), 6.54 d (1H, 6-H, J = 8 Hz), 6.68 d
(1H, 5-H, J = 8 Hz), 6.73 s (1H, 3-H), 8.32 s (1H,
OOH). GC–MS data: retention time 16.767 min; m/z
(Irel, %): 180 (60) [M]+, 163 (3) [M – OH]+, 153 (20)
[M – C2H3]+, 137 (100) [M – C2H3O]+, 124 (40) [M –
C4H8]+, 105 (15) [M – C3H7O2]+, 91 (65) [C6H3O]+,
65 (20) [C5H5]+.
Photochemical oxidation of trans-anethole (I)
and eugenol (II) with hydrogen peroxide (general
procedure). A solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide,
2.5 ml, was carefully added in a dropwise manner over
a period of 5 min to a solution of 5 mmol compound I
or II in 25 ml of ethanol under stirring at 0°C. The
mixture was irradiated for 55 h using a sodium lamp in
a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was then evaporat-
ed under reduced pressure at room temperature to give
a resinous material. The residue was treated with 25 ml
of chloroform, the extract was dried over anhydrous
sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure,
and the residue was subjected to column chromatog-
raphy on silica gel using petroleum ether (bp 60–
80°C)–diethyl ether (9:2) to isolate compounds Ia and
Ib (from I) or IIa (from II).
Oxidation of trans-anethole (I) and eugenol (II)
with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (general proce-
dure). A solution of 10 mmol of 80% m-chloroperoxy-
benzoic acid was added dropwise over a period of
15 min to a solution of 5 mmol of compound I or II in
25 ml of chloroform under stirring at 0°C. The mixture
was then stirred at room temperature under nitrogen,
the progress of the reaction being monitored by TLC
and peroxide test (using a 10% solution of KI). The
mixture was carefully washed with a saturated aqueous
solution of NaHCO3 (3×10 ml) and distilled water
(3×10 ml). The organic layer was separated, dried
over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated under reduced
pressure at room temperature. The residue was purified
by column chromatography on silica gel using petro-
leum ether (bp 60–80°C)–diethyl ether (9:2) to isolate
compound Ic (from I) or IIb (from II) as viscous oily
substances.
4-Methoxybenzaldehyde (Ia). Yield 0.34 g (65%),
colorless oil, C8H8O2 (M 136.152). IR spectrum, ν,
cm–1: 3014, 2933, 2836, 1699, 1607, 1500, 1451, 1117.
1H NMR spectrum, δ, ppm: 3.87 s (3H, OCH3), 7.0 d
(2H, 3-H, 5-H, J = 7 Hz), 7.83 d (2H, 2-H, 6-H, J =
7 Hz), 9.86 s (1H, CHO). 13C NMR spectrum, δC, ppm:
55.4 (CH3O), 114.2 (C3, C5), 129.8 (C1), 131.8 (C2,
C6), 164.5 (C4), 190.7 (CHO). GC–MS data: retention
time 16.163 min; m/z (Irel, %): 136 (80), [M]+, 135
(100) [M – H]+, 107 (15) [M – CHO]+, 92 (20)
[C6H4O]+, 77 (25) [C6H5]+, 65 (5) [C5H5]+.
2,5-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-diox-
ane (Ic). Yield 0.78 g (95%), colorless oil, C20H24O4
(M 328.412). IR spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3461, 3068, 2981,
1
2825, 1726, 1607, 1505, 1424, 1176. H NMR spec-
trum (1H–1H COSY), δ, ppm: 1.19 d (6H, CH3, J =
7 Hz), 3.84 s (6H, OCH3), 4.27 d.q (2H, 3-H, 6-H, J =
7 Hz), 5.82 d (2H, 2-H, 5-H, J = 7 Hz), 6.95 d (4H,
3′-H, 5′-H, J = 8 Hz), 7.41 d (4H, 2′-H, 6′-H, J =
8 Hz). 13C NMR spectrum, δC, ppm: 19 (CH3), 55.2
(OCH3), 70.1 (C3, C6), 81.5 (C2, C5), 114.1 (C3′, C5′),
127.9 (C3″), 128.6 (C2′, C6′), 129.5 (C5″), 129.7 (C2″),
129.8 (C6″), 133.1 (C1′), 134.5 (C1″), 159.7 (C4′), 164.8
(C4″). Mass spectrum, m/z (Irel, %): 328 (6) [M]+, 314
2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-methyloxirane (Ib). Yield
0.18 g (35%), colorless oil, C10H12O2 (M 164.206). IR
spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3003, 2949, 2830, 1613, 1500,
1
1467, 1171, 1041. H NMR spectrum, δ, ppm: 0.96 d
(3H, CH3, J = 7 Hz), 3.36 d.q (1H, 2′-H, J =8, 16 Hz),
3.82 s (3H, OCH3), 3.90 d (1H, 1′-H, J = 16 Hz),
6.89 d (2H, 3-H, 5-H, J = 8 Hz), 7.22 d (2H, 2-H, 6-H,
J = 8 Hz). 13C NMR spectrum, δC, ppm: 17.9 (C3′),
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Vol. 44 No. 6 2008

OXIDATION REACTIONS OF SOME NATURAL VOLATILE AROMATIC COMPOUNDS:
829
(3) [M – CH2]+, 301 (5) [M – C2H3]+, 297 (3) [M –
CH3O]+, 283 (5) [M – C2H5O]+, 253 (1) [M – C3H7O2]+,
238 (3) [M – C4H10O2]+, 164 (4) [M/2]+, 161 (1)
[C10H9O]+, 106 (3) [C7H6O]+, 92 (15) [C6H4O]+, 59
(100) [C2H3O2]+.
3-H, J = 4 Hz), 6.32 d (1H, 6-H, J = 8 Hz), 6.90 d.d
(1H, 5-H, J = 8, 4 Hz), 8.73 s (1H, OOH). GC–MS
data: retention time 20.913 min; m/z (Irel, %): 196 (1)
[M]+, 178 (5) [M – H2O]+, 164 (70) [M – O2]+, 149 (40)
[M – CH3O2]+, 133 (20) [M – CH3O3]+, 123 (55)
[C7H7O2]+, 107 (70) [C7H7O]+, 91 (50) [C6H3O]+, 79
(100) [C5H3O]+, 65 (15) [C5H5]+.
2-Methoxy-4-(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)phenol (IIb).
Yield 0.86 g (96%), colorless oil, C10H12O3
(M 180.238). IR spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3515, 3073, 2933,
Study on photochemical DNA damage by hydro-
peroxides Id and IIc. A solution of DNA in saline,
1 ml, was added to a solution of 1 mg of compound Id
or IIc in 5 ml of ethanol, and the mixture was ir-
radiated using a sodium lamp for 16 h at 0°C. Samples
were withdrawn at different times to determine the
damaging effect by the gel electrophoresis technique
[13]. The photographs of the gel were taken under UV
light (λ 365 nm). The results showed moderate degree
of DNA damage in the presence of hydroperoxides Id
and IIc after irradiation for 8 and 12 h, respectively,
and high degree of DNA damage after irradiation for
12 and 16 h, respectively.
1
2836, 1639, 1613, 1505, 1354, 1111. H NMR spec-
trum, δ, ppm: 2.54 d.d (1H, 3′-H, J = 5, 3 Hz), 2.78 m
(1H, 3′-H), 2.80 d (2H, 1′-H, J = 5 Hz), 3.13 m (1H,
2′-H), 3.87 s (3H, OCH3), 5.60 br.s (1H, OH), 6.73 d
(1H, 6-H, J = 8 Hz), 6.76 s (1H, 3-H), 6.85 d (1H, 5-H,
J = 8 Hz). GC–MS data: retention time 14.500 min;
m/z (Irel, %): 180 (65) [M]+, 165 (5) [M – CH3]+, 151
(15) [M – CHO]+, 137 (100) [M – C2H3O]+, 122 (15)
[M – C3H6O]+, 91 (15) [C6H3O]+, 65 (10) [C5H5]+.
Photosensitized oxygenation of trans-anethole (I)
and eugenol (II). A solution of 10 mmol of compound
I or II in appropriate solvent according to the type of
sensitizer used was irradiated with a sodium lamp at
–5°C, a stream of oxygen being continuously passed
through the solution at a low rate to avoid evaporation
of the solvent. When the reaction was complete, the
solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure
(15 mm) at 20°C, and the residue was subjected to
column chromatography on silica gel using petroleum
ether (bp 60–80°C)–diethyl ether (9:2). The reaction
conditions and the yields of products Ia and Id
(from I) and IIc (from II) are given in table.
REFERENCES
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1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl hydroperox-
ide (Id). Colorless oil, C10H12O3 (M 180.206). IR
spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3429 br, 2830, 1629, 1505, 1381,
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1
1241, 1106. H NMR spectrum, δ, ppm: 3.80 s (3H,
6. Mohan, R.S. and Whalen, D.L., J. Org. Chem., 1993,
OCH3), 3.90 d (1H, 1′-H, J =20 Hz), 5.35 d.d (2H,
3′-H, J = 20, 8 Hz), 6.05 m (1H, 2′-H), 6.90 d (2H,
3-H, 5-H, J =8 Hz), 7.28 d (2H, 2-H, 6-H, J = 8 Hz),
8.60 br.s (1H, OOH). 13C NMR spectrum, δC, ppm:
55.3 (OCH3), 74.7 (C1′), 113.9 (C3, C5), 114.6 (C3′),
127.7 (C2, C6), 131.9 (C1), 140.6 (C2′), 159.1 (C4). GC–
MS data: retention time 20.605 min; m/z (Irel, %): 180
(50) [M]+, 165 (60) [M – CH3]+, 163 (8) [M – OH]+,
147 (1) [M – HO2]+, 137 (100) [M – C3H7]+, 122 (20)
[M – C3H6O]+, 92 (2) [C6H4O]+, 65 (15) [C5H5]+.
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4-Hydroperoxy-2-methoxy-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-
cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one (IIc). Colorless oil,
C10H12O4 (M 196.238). IR spectrum, ν, cm–1: 3391,
12. Elgendy, E.M., Chim. Pharm. J., 2000, vol. 52, p. 227.
1
2992, 1690, 1510, 1219, 1052. H NMR spectrum, δ,
13. Kochevar, I.E. and Dunm, D.A., Photochemistry and
the Nucleic Acids, Morrison, H., Ed. (Bioorganic Photo-
chemistry, vol. 1), New York: Wiley, 1990, p. 273.
ppm: 2.53 m (2H, 1′-H), 3.69 s (3H, OCH3), 5.13 d.d
(2H, 3′-H, J = 10 Hz), 5.67 m (1H, 2′-H), 5.71 d (1H,
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Vol. 44 No. 6 2008