Formation of 4-Halo-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dienones on Nitration of p-Halophenols and p-Halophenyl Acetates.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(89)80128-0

Nitration of p-chloro-, p-fluoro-, and p-bromo-phenol or the corresponding p-halophenyl acetates at -40 deg C and below gives the 4-halo-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dienones in addition to the 4-halo-2-nitrophenols.The dienones isomerize to the nitrophenols at temperatures between -40 deg C and 0 deg C.Nitration of 4-chloro-2-methylphenol or its acetate gives both 4-chloro-2-methyl-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dienone and 4-chloro-6-methyl-6-nitrocyclohexa-2,4-dienone. 4-Chloro-3-methylphenol and its acetate give 4-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitrocyclohexa-2,5-dienone.