Regioselective synthesis of 1,8-dihydroxytetralins through a tandem reduction/intramolecular hydroxyalkylation of 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)alkanoates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)89307-8

A series of 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)butanoates 3 has been prepared and transformed into 1,8-dihydroxytetralins of general formula 2 by treatment with 2 equivalents of DIBALH followed by quenching with aqueous NH₄Cl. A possible mechanism for this novel totally regioselective intramolecular hydroxyalkylation is suggested and the factors affecting the stability of 1,8-dihydroxytetralins 2 are also discussed.