Rearrangements of Cycloalkenyl Aryl Ethers

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules21040503

Rearrangement reactions of cycloalkenyl phenol and naphthyl ethers and the acid-catalyzed cyclization of the resulting product were investigated. Claisen rearrangement afforded 2-substituted phenol and naphthol derivatives. Combined Claisen and Cope rearrangement resulted in the formation of 4-substituted phenol and naphthol derivatives. In the case of cycloocthylphenyl ether the consecutive Claisen and Cope rearrangements were followed by an alkyl migration. The mechanism of this novel rearrangement reaction is also discussed.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules21040503

molecules
Article
Rearrangements of Cycloalkenyl Aryl Ethers
Mercedesz Törincsi 1, Melinda Nagy 1, Tamás Bihari 2, András Stirling 2, Pál Kolonits 1 and
Lajos Novak 1,
*
1
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics,
Gellért tér 4, Budapest 1111, Hungary; torincsi@mail.bme.hu (M.T.); nagymelynda@freemail.hu (M.N.);
Kolonits@mail.bme.hu (P.K.)
Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2, Budapest 1117, Hungary;
bihari.tamas@ttk.mta.hu (T.B.); stirling.andras@ttk.mta.hu (A.S.)
2
*
Correspondence: lnovak@mail.bme.hu; Tel.: +361-463-2207
Academic Editor: Mark A. Rizzacasa
Received: 14 January 2016; Accepted: 12 April 2016; Published: 19 April 2016
Abstract: Rearrangement reactions of cycloalkenyl phenol and naphthyl ethers and the acid-catalyzed
cyclization of the resulting product were investigated. Claisen rearrangement afforded 2-substituted
phenol and naphthol derivatives. Combined Claisen and Cope rearrangement resulted in the
formation of 4-substituted phenol and naphthol derivatives. In the case of cycloocthylphenyl ether the
consecutive Claisen and Cope rearrangements were followed by an alkyl migration. The mechanism
of this novel rearrangement reaction is also discussed.
Keywords: Claisen rearrangement; Cope rearrangement; phenol ethers; naphthyl ethers; reaction
mechanism
1. Introduction
Phenol and its derivatives play an important role in organic chemistry. They are high
useful building blocks in natural products and pharmaceuticals. They are also the starting compounds
in the industrial synthesis of diverse antiseptics, dyes, aspirin, anilines, phenolic resins and
caprolactams [1–5]. Furthermore, benzofurans, which can be prepared from phenols, have shown
a wide range of biological activities. Substituted benzofuran (coumaran) is one of the most important
heterocycles and is a powerful scaffold for many biological activities. Its derivatives have also been
successfully applied in the synthesis of molecules which are pharmacologically active inhibitors against
many diseases, viruses, microbes, fungi, and enzymes [6–10]. Naphthols and their methyl ethers also
possess useful biologically activities. They show inhibitory activity with preferential inhibition on
cyclooxygenase I and II [11,12].
Previously we developed methods for the preparation of cycloalkano-naphthofuran derivatives
by the reaction of naphthol and cycloalka-1,3-dienes [13]. In those one-pot reactions we had assumed
that the process went through the initial formation of naphthyl ether followed by acid catalyzed
intramolecular cyclization. However, we were unable to isolate the naphthyl ether intermediates and
under the forcing conditions some part of the product underwent fast dehydrogenation. With the aim
of continuing our efforts to synthesize novel heterocyclic compounds, we have now examined the
synthesis and rearrangement reaction of phenyl and naphthyl ethers. We report here the results and
the preparation of the new compounds.
2. Results and Discussions
Ethers 3a
bromocycloalk-1-ene
–
f
were prepared by the reaction of compounds 1a and 1b and the appropriate
in acetone, in the presence of K2CO3 and NaI. These reactions yielded ethers
2
3
Molecules 2016, 21, 503; doi:10.3390/molecules21040503
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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in good to acceptable yields. The attempted thermal reaction of ethers resulted only decomposition.
TsOH H2O (pKa = 2.8)-catalyzed reactions of the phenol ethers 3a and 3b gave a mixture of
¨
´
three compounds (entries 1 and 2, Scheme 1). The major products were the 2-cycloalkyl derivatives 4a
and 4b, formed by [3,3] rearrangement. The minor products were 4-substituted phenols 6a and 6b
(Table 1). They were formed by consecutive Claisen- and Cope-rearrangements [14–19]. Under these
strong acidic conditions, the decomposition of ethers 3a and 4b took place, and small amounts of
dioxane derivatives 5a and 5b were also isolated.
Scheme 1. Acid-catalyzed rearrangement of ethers 3.
Table 1. Acid-catalyzed reaction of ethers 3a–f.
Entry
Starting Materials
Temperature (˝C)
Reaction Time (h)
Product(s) (Yields %)
1
2
3
4
5
6
3a
3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
20
50
50
20
20
50
24
12
22
24
40
8
4a (28); 6a (22); 5a (12)
4b (26); 6b (20); 5b (14)
4c (47)
4d (37); 6d (14); 5a (14)
4e (22); 6e (15); 5b (16)
4f (47)
Acid-catalyzed reaction of cyclooctylphenol 3c yielded only Claisen product 4c. However,
treatment of 4c with stronger acid, CF3SO3H (pKa = 15), yielded an unexpected product . A plausible
´
7

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reaction mechanism for the formation of this product is depicted in Scheme 2. In the Cope
rearrangement of compound 4c compound 6c was formed. After protonation, a 1,2-alkyl shift took
place on the conjugated acid 10 and then the quinoid intermediate took up a hydride anion [20–22].
Scheme 2. Ring-contraction rearrangement of compound 6c.
We have investigated the generality of the above discussed reaction. Acid-catalyzed reaction
of naphthyl ether 3d also yielded three products (entry 4). Namely, the Claisen rearrangement
product 4d, the combined Claisen and Cope rearrangement product 6d, and the dioxane derivative
5a, in a 5:2:3 ratio. Essentially the same result was obtained with the cyclohepthyl ether homolog 3e
(entry 5). From this reaction compounds 4e, 6e, and the decomposition product 5b were isolated.
The acid-catalyzed reaction of cyclooctylnaphthyl ether 3f generated only one product, the
α
-substituted naphthol derivative 4f (entry 6). Our effort to obtain the combined rearrangement
product 6f with stronger acid failed. Here, the first product 4f showed a strong intramolecular
cyclization tendency and the cycloocta[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furan derivative 8f (cis/trans ring fusion
ratio 1:2) was isolated. Later on we used CF3SO3H for the cyclization of compounds 4a
4d . The reactions were rather fast at room temperature and yielded predominantly compounds 8a
besides trace amounts of compounds 9a–e.
, 4b and
–
f
–e,
We also studied these cyclization reactions under microwave irradiation. The reactions were rather
slow and to achieve complete cyclization we had to apply a higher temperature (200 ˝C) and longer
reaction times. Under these conditions dehydrogenative aromatization took place and compounds
could be isolated.
9
In order to understand this puzzling difference between the two activation modes we sought
to understand the mechanism of the Cope rearrangement. To this end we have performed DFT
calculations. First we have focused on the rearrangement of three molecules: 2-(2-cyclohexene-
1-yl)-phenol (4a), 2-(2-cycloheptene-1-yl)-phenol (4b), and 2-(2-cyclooctene-1-yl)-phenol (4c). We have
calculated both the thermal and the ionic (proton-catalyzed) routes. First we note that without proton
catalysis the rearrangements hardly take place, because the bond breaking between the aromatic and
aliphatic rings gives rise to a highly unstable intermediate (we have calculated more than 100 kcal/mol
activation energies for this step). In contrast, proton catalysis allows a new route, where the bond
breaking steps are facilitated by the excess protons. The calculated free energy profiles are shown in
Figure 1, whereas the corresponding structures for the rearrangement of the cycloheptene ring are
shown in Figure 2. To demonstrate why a two-step mechanism is preferred to a one-step rearrangement,
a simple 2D potential energy surface (PES) scan has been performed as a function of the breaking
and forming CC bonds. Figure 3 plots the calculated PES for compound 4a. The PES shows that
a hypothetical one-step process would cross a much higher energy region. Therefore the two-step
process is favored. We have found entirely analogous routes for the other two molecules. The free
energy values are listed in Table 2.

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Figure 1. Free energy profiles for the Cope rearrangement reactions of compounds 4a
, 4b and 4c.
The letters designate the reaction intermediate and transition states as displayed in Figure 2. The final
deprotonation step is indicated by the last dashed lines. Color code: dark grey line—4a; blue—4b
red—4c.
;
Figure 2. The mechanism of the proton-catalyzed Cope rearrangement.
protonated form; ( ): suitable tautomeric form for Cope rearrangement; (
(TS1); ( ): intermediate structure; ( ): second transition state (TS2); ( ): protonated product state.
Color code: green—carbon; red—oxygen; white—hydrogen.
(A
): the most stable
B
C): first transition state
D
E
F
Figure 3. Calculated PES (in kcal/mol) for compound 4a as a function of the breaking (horizontal
axis) and forming CC bonds (vertical axis). The zero level is set to the most stable structure within
the calculation domain. The most stable reactant and product regions are only partially shown at the
upper left and lower right corners. TS and intermediate regions are indicated by white circles.

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Table 2. Relative free energies of the reactant, product and intermediate states and the reaction free
energies (in neutral form, ∆Gr) in kcal/mol for compounds 4a, 4b and 4c.
Reaction Stages
4a
4b
4c
A
B
0
0
0
14.5
25.1
14.1
23.2
10.0
´0.9
15.1
25.2
13.9
21.1
13.9
´1.5
19.4
24.1
17.5
22.9
12.8
´5.6
C (TS1)
D
E (TS2)
F
∆Gr
The most stable protonated form (A) features a benzylic structure which efficiently delocalizes
the extra charge of the proton. The rearrangement implies however the presence of a proton at the
C2 position on the aromatic ring which requires a tautomeric rearrangement and a 14–19 kcal/mol
free energy investment. The next step is the bond breaking between the two rings and the formation
of a peculiar intermediate state (D) where the positively charged aliphatic ring is stabilized by the
close aromatic ring. This step requires 24–25 kcal/mol activation free energy which indicates that
this process can indeed occur at ambient conditions. This is the rate-determining step of the process.
In the following step the intermediate goes through a slightly lower barrier (21–23 kcal/mol range for
the three compounds) and forms the protonated product (F). Comparison of the free energies of the
product and reactant states in their neutral, unprotonated states reveals a moderate exergonicity for
all the three rearrangements (between
for our computational methodology [23
´
1 and
´
6 kcal/mol). Assuming a few kcal/mol uncertainty
–
26], we can conclude that the rearrangement reactions are
reversible and an equilibrium of the two Cope-converted structures can be expected.
The stabilization effect of the aromatic ring in intermediate state D is crucial. We have found
a compelling proof of this effect when explored a similar rearrangement paths for some analogous
compounds: 7-(2-cycloalken-1-yl)-8-quinolines [27], where again 6-, 7- and 8-membered cycloalkene
rings were considered. In an acidic environment the resting state of these compounds is the
N-protonated form (Scheme 3). The rearrangement can then occur along two different pathways.
In the first route additional protonation of the aromatic ring yields the proper doubly-protonated form
for the Cope rearrangement. However, formation of the D-analogue intermediate would require the
interaction of two positively charged rings, which is highly unfavorable and the system breaks apart.
The second possibility is that the N-protonated form rearranges to the proper protonated form for
the intramolecular Cope reaction where the 7C position of the quinoline is protonated. Due to the
strong basicity of the N site, this is a much less favorable state by 29.0 kcal/mol free energy implying
that this form cannot be observed in practice. The rate-determining step features a transition state at
42.0 kcal/mol on the free energy scale. These results indicate that the rearrangement of these quinolines
cannot be observed under normal circumstances.
Scheme 3. Rearrangement of quinoline 12.

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3. Experimental Section
3.1. General Information
Solvents were used as received from commercial vendors and no further attempts were made to
purify or dry them. Mps were determined on a Büchi apparatus (Büchi labortechnik GmbH, Essen,
Germany) and are uncorrected. Infrared (IR) spectra were recorded on an Alpha FT spectrophotometer
1
(Bruker Bio spin GmbH, Ettlingen, Germany). H- and 13C-NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker
DRX-500 spectrometer. All NMR spectra are reported in ppm relative to TMS. MS spectra were
conducted on a 6140 quadropole LC/MS instrument (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA, ESI was +2 kV).
Merck (Darmstadt, Germany) precoated silica gel 60 F254 plates were used for TLC and Kieselgel 60
for column chromatography. Solvent were mixed on a v/v basis. HPLC chromatographic analyses
and separation were performed with a Waters 600 system (Waters GmbH, Eschborn, Germany)
equipped with a photodiode array detector 990. The column used was a Supelcosil
250 mm 10 mm. Microwave accelerated reactions were taken in a CEM Focused Microwave
synthesis System (CEM Corporation, Matthews, NC, USA).
™ SPLC-18-DB,
ˆ
™
Phenol and naphth-1-ol were obtained from commercial sources and were the highest grade
available. 3-Bromocyclohex-1-ene (2a) [28], 3-bromocyclohept-1-ene (2b) [29], and 3-bromocyclooct-
1-ene (2c) [30] were prepared using the corresponding literature procedures.
The calculations have been performed by using the Gaussian 09 program package [20]. We have
used density functional theory (DFT) with the dispersion-corrected, range-separated hybrid
ωB97XD
exchange-correlation functional [24]. Structural optimizations, transition state (TS) searches and
vibrational calculations have been carried out using the 6-31+G * basis set. The Gibbs free energy
contributions to the electronic energy have been calculated by employing the harmonic oscillator, rigid
rotor, ideal gas approximation. The TS structures have been identified by having a single imaginary
frequency. In addition mixed IRC-optimization calculations have been performed to confirm that
a given TS connects the corresponding intermediate states. For the solvent effects we have applied
implicit solvent model within the SMD formalism [25]. Since technical reasons do not allow to employ
mixed solvents, water has been selected as a suitable choice to represent the strong acidic environment.
For the final free energy profile the larger 6-311++G(3df, 3pd) basis set has been employed for a single
point energy calculation (including the solvation effects) on the optimized structures, whereas the free
energy contributions are taken from the calculations employing the smaller basis set.
3.2. Preparation of Ethers 3: General Procedure
To a cold stirred suspension of compound
dry acetone (50 mL) was added bromocycloalkene
After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was quenched with water and then extracted
with CH2Cl2 (2 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water and dried (MgSO4).
1
(0.02 mol), K2CO3 (0.02 mol), and NaI (0.001 mol) in
2
and the resulting mixture was refluxed for 12 h.
ˆ
Evaporation of the solvent gave a residue which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel
(20% EtOAc in hexane, as eluent).
(2-Cyclohexen-1-yloxy)benzene (3a) [31]. Yield: 65%: light yellow oil: Rf = 0.77 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1).
1
IR (KBr): 1599, 1584, 1492, 1445, 1298, 1288. 1235, 1077, 1065 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.5–2.0
(m, 3H), 2.02 (m, 1H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 2.45 (m, 1H), C4’-C6’ H-s, 4.79 (br. s, 1H, C1’-H), 5.87 (m, 1H,
C2’H), 5.96 (m, 1H, C3’H), 6.92 (m, 3H, C2-H, C4-H, and C6-H), 7.27 (t, J = 8 Hz, 2H, C3-H and C5-H).
13C-NMR (CDCl3): 19.03 (C-5’), 25.13 (C-4’), 28.32 (C-6’), 70.81 (C-1’), 115.89 (C-2 and C-6), 120.62 (C-4),
126.41 (C-3’), 129.47 (C-3 and C-5), 132.08 (C-2’), 157.84 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 174 (M+, 54), 145 (M+-C2H5,
74), 93 (M+-C6H9, 100).
(2-Cyclohepten-1-yloxy)benzene (3b) [32]. Yield: 68%: light yellow oil: Rf = 0.72 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1).
1H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ
= 1.40 (m, 1H, C5’-H), 1.68 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 1.70 (C7’-H), 1.75 (m, 1H, C5’-H),
2.03 (m, 2H, C6’-H and C7’-H), 2.12 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 2.23 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 4.89 (m,1H, C1’-H), 5.82 (m, 1H,

Molecules 2016, 21, 503
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C2’-H), 5.85 (m, 1H, C3’-H), 6.87 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H, C2-H and C6-H), 6.91 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.26
(J = 8 Hz, 2H, C3-H and C5-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
= 26.51 (C-5’), 27.49 (C-6’), 28.54 (C-4’), 33.10 (C-7’),
δ
77.18 (C-1’), 115.65 (C-2 and (C-6), 120.47 (C-4), 129.41 (C-3 and C-5), 130.84 (C-3’), 135.74 (C-2’), 157.68
(C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 188 (M+, 58), 159 (M+-C6H9, 82), 93 (M+-C7H11, 100).
(2-Cycloocten-1-yloxy)benzene (3c) [33]. Yield: 74%: light yellow oil: Rf = 0.77 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1).
. δ = 1.4–1.8
IR (KBr): 1598, 1584, 1492, 1452, 1299, 1238, 1171, 1038, 982 cm´1 1H-NMR (CDCl3):
(m, 7H), 2.08 (m, 1H), 2.20 (m, 1H), 2.28 (m, 1H, C4’-H), C8’ H-s, 5.08 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 5.52 (m, 1H,
C2’-H), 5.73 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 6.87 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H, C2-H and C6-H), 6.90 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.24
(t, J = 8 Hz, 2H, C3-H and C5-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 23.45 (C-7’), 26.22 (C-6’), 26.73 (C-4’), 29.07
(C-5’), 35.81 (C-8’), 75.03 (C-1’), 115.54 (C-2 and C-6), 120.41 (C-4), 129.32 (C-3 and C-5), 129.85 (C-3’),
133.16 (C-2’), 158.26 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 204 (M+, 46), 175 (M+-C2H5, 76), 95 (M+-C8H13, 100).
1-(Cyclohex-2-enyloxy)naphthalene (3d). Yield: 56%; yellow oil: Rf = 0.84 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1).
1
Rt = 6.67 min. IR (KBr): 1598, 1586, 1491, 1448, 1432, 1396, 1235, 1035 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.70
(m, 1H, C5’-H), 1.93 (m, 1H, C5’-H), 2.02 (m, 2H, C6’-H), 2.07 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 2.17 (m, 1H, C4’-H),
5.00 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 6.00 (m, 2H, C2’-H and C3’-H), 6.89 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.36 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H,
C3-H), 7.42 (m, 1H, C6-H), 7.78 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C5-H), 8.29 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ
= 19.23 (C-5’9), 25.23 (C-4’), 28.51 (C-6’), 71.31 (C-1’), 106.36 (C-2), 120.06 (C-4), 122.45 (C-8), 125.00
(C-7), 125.83 (C-3), 126.28 (C-6), 126.42 (C-2’), 126.54 (C-8a), 127.40 (C-5), 132.10 (C-3’), 134.76 (C-4a),
153.66 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 224 (M+, 65), 195 (M+-C2H5, 52), 181 (M+-C3H7, 100). Anal. Calcd for
C16H16O: C, 85.75; H, 7.14. Found: C, 85.52; H, 7.28.
1-[(Z)-Cyclohept-2-enyloxy]naphthalene (3e). Yield: 62%; yellow oil: Rf = 0.9 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1).
Rt = 6.68 min. IR (KBr): 1577, 1506, 1460, 1444, 1395, 1265, 1236, 1154, 1095, 1061 cm´1
.
1H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.46 (m, 1H, C5’-H), 1.75 (m, 2H, C5’-H and C6’-H), 1.92 (m, 1H, C7’-H), 2.07
(C6’-H), 2.17 (m, 2H, C4’-H and C7’-H), 2.28 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 5.08 (d, J= 10 Hz, 1H, C1’-H), 5.90 (m, 2H,
C2’-H and C3’-H), 6.76 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.34 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.38 (m, 1H, C4-H), 7.45
(m, 2H, C6-H and C7-H), 7.78 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C5-H), 8.30 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ
= 26.62 (C-5’), 27.53 (C-6’), 28.58 (C-4’), 33.13 (C-7’), 77.56 (C-1’), 106.22 (C-2), 119.92 (C-4), 122.31
(C-8), 125.01 (C-7), 125.79 (C-3), 126.27 (C-8a), 127.41 (C-5), 131.04 (C-2’), 134.69 (C-4a), 135.73 (C-3’),
153.37 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 238 (M+, 15), 209 (M+-C2H5, 3), 181 (M+-C4H9, 13), 157 (M+-C6H9, 21), 144
(M+-C7H10, 100). Anal. Calcd for C17H18O: C, 85.72; H, 7.56. Found: C, 85.52; H, 7.38.
1-[(Z)-Cyclooct-2-enyloxy]naphthalene (3f). Yield: 58%; Rf = 0.9 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). IR (KBr): 1627,
1
1595, 1577, 1507, 1461, 1448, 1395, 1347, 1266, 1237, 1155, 1093, 1064 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.54
(m, 2H, C4’-H and C5’-H), 1.72 (m, 4H, C5’-H, C6’-H and C7’-H), 1.90 (m, 1H, C8’-H), 2.22 (m, 2H,
C4’-H and C8’-H), 2.35 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 5.28 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 5.60 (m, 1H, C2’-H), 5.78 (m, 1H, C3’-H),
6.78 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.31 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.39 (m, 1H, C4-H), 7.44 (m, 2H, C6-H and
C7-H), 7.77 (m, 1H, C5-H), 8.30 (m, 1H, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 23.45 (C-7’), 26.28 (C-6’), 26.76
(C-4’), 29.07 (C-5’), 35.80 (C-8’), 75.61 (C-1’), 106.34 (C-2), 119.87 (C-4), 122.26 (C-8), 124.94 (C-7), 125.84
(C-3), 126.14 (C-8a), 126.19 (C-6), 127.40 (C-5), 129.89 (C-3’), 133.22 (C-2’), 134.58 (C-4a), 153.93 (C-1).
MS: m/z (%) = 252 (M+, 52), 209 (M+-C3H7, 8), 194 (M+-C4H9, 15), 181 (M+-C5H11, 169 (M+-C6H11, 28),
157 (M+-C7H11, 78), 144 (M+-C8H12, 100)), Anal. Calcd for C18H20O: C, 85.72; H, 7.93. Found: C, 85.54;
H, 7.92.
3.3. Rearrangement of Ethers 3: General Procedure
A mixture of ether (2 mmol) and 3.8 g (2 mmol) PTS H2O in 100 mL dry toluene was stirred and
¨
heated for the time indicated in Table 1. After cooling to room temperature water (50 mL) was added
and the layers separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with toluene and the combined organic
solutions were dried (MgSO4) and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography
(silica gel, hexane/EtOAc = 5:1).

Molecules 2016, 21, 503
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2-(2-Cyclohexen-1-yl)phenol (4a) [34]. Yield: 25%; light yellow oil: Rf = 0.63 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). IR (KBr):
1
1598, 1491, 1432, 1288, 1235, 1172, 1035 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.5-2.2 (m, 6H, 3CH2), 3.6 (m, 1H,
CH), 5.85 (m, 1H, CH=), 6.08 (m, 1H, CH=), 6.74 (m, 1H, ArH), 6.85 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.14 (m, 2H, ArH).
13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 21.42, 25.01, 30.03, 37.99, 116.12, 120.61, 126.60, 128.01, 128.85, 129.56, 129.71,
153.60. MS: m/z (%) 174 (M+, 97), 159 (M+-15, 40), 145 (M+-C2H5, 100), 131 (M+-C3H7, 84).
4-(2-Cyclohexen-1-yl)phenol (6a) [35]. Yield: 36%; Rf = 0.36 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). Rt = 4.48 min. IR (KBr):
1
3474 (OH), 1649, 1606, 1589, 1453, 1432, 1340, 1298, 1287, 1188 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.67 (m, 3H,
C6’-H and C6’-H), 2.12 (m, 3H, C4’-H and C6’-H), 4.12 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 5.45 (br.s, 1H, OH), 5.80 (m, 1H,
C2’-H), 5.98 (m, 1H, C3’-H), 6.73 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.18 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.46 (m, 1H,
C7-H), 7.50 (m, 1H, C6-H), 8.07 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C5-H), 8.23 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ
= 20.72 (C-5’), 25.28 (C-4’), 30.92 (C-6’), 36.53 (C-1’), 108.05 (C-2), 122.41 (C-8), 123.43 (C-5), 124.69
(C-7), 124.89 (C-8a), 124.98 (C-3), 126.25 (C-6), 128.62 (C-3’), 130.45 (C-2’), 132.39 (C-4a), 134.30 (C-4).
MS: m/z (%) = 174 (M+, 92%), 145 (M+-C2H5, 100%), 131 (M+-C3H7, 87%), 120 (M+-C4H6).
Dodecahydrooxanthrene (5a) [36]. Yield: 12%; Rf= 0.9 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). IR (KBr): 1458, 1445, 1432,
. δ = 1.52 (m, 4H,
1358, 1267, 1256, 1195, 1177, 1160, 1116, 1048, 1032, 998 cm´1 1H-NMR (CDCl3):
C2-H, C3-H, C7-H, C8-H), 1.81 (m, 4H, C2-H, C3-H, C7-H, C8-H), 1.89 (m, 4H, C1-H, C4-H, C6-H, C9-H),
2.46 (m, 4H, C1-H, C4-H, C6-H, C9-H), 4.45 (m, 4H, C4a-H, C5a-H, C9a-H, C10a-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 22.38 (C-2, C-3, C7, C-8), 31.97 (C-1, C-4, C-6, C-9), 55.20 (C-4a, C-5a, C-9a, C-10a).
2-(2-Cyclohepten-1-yl)phenol (4b) [31]. Yield: 32%; Rf = 0.5 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). IR (KBr): 3427 (OH),
1
1591, 1501, 1488, 1452, 1261, 1094, 1042 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.48 (m, 1H, C5’-H), 1.66 (m, 1H,
C6’-H), 1.82 (m, 1H. C5’-H), 1.85 (m, 2H, C7’-H), 1.98 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 2.24 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 2.32 (m, 1H,
C4’-H), 3.73 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 5.75 (m, 1H, C2’-H), 5.94 (C3’-H), 6.79 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C6-H), 6.89
(d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.10 (td, J = 8 Hz and 1.5 Hz, 1H. C5-H), 7.16 (dd, J = 8 Hz and 1.5 Hz, 1H.
C3-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 27.16 (C-5’), 28.86 (C-4’), 29.97 (C-6’), 34.14 (C-7’), 41.84 (C-1’), 115.91
(C-6), 120.87 (C-4), 127.22 (C-5), 128.47 (C-3), 132.91 (C-2), 133.39 (C-3’), 135.49 (C-2’), 153.00 (C-1).
MS: m/z (%) = 188 (M+, 64), 187 (M+-H, 100), 173 (M+-CH3, 36), 159 (M+-C2H5, 92).
2-(2-Cyclooct-1-yl)phenol (4c) [35]. Yield: 47%; Rf = 0.76 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). IR (KBr): 3428 (OH), 1590,
1
1501, 1487, 1452, 1235, 1195, 1043 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.4–2.5 (m, 10 H, 5CH2), 3.9 (m, 1H,
CH), 5.20 (m, 1H. OH), 5.50 (m, 1H, CH=), 5.93 (m, 1H, CH=), 6.78 (m, 2H, ArH), 6.93 (m, 1H, ArH),
7.12 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.22 (m, 1H, ArH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 25.62, 26.57, 26.71, 29.65, 33.79, 35.31,
115.92, 120.81, 126.51, 127.34, 131.15, 132.30, 132.89, 154.14. MS: m/z (%) = 202 (M+, 48), 201 (M+-H,
100), 187 (M+-CH3, 42), 173 (M+-C2H5, 87).
2-(Cyclohex-2-enyl)naphthalen-1-ol (4d) [36,37]. Yield: 37%; light yellow oil; Rf = 0.78 (hexane–EtOAc
5:1); Rt = 7.18 min. IR (KBr): 3454 (OH), 3053, 3016, 1654, 1649, 1599, 1572, 1508, 1465, 1444, 1386,
1
1358, 1269, 1177, 1131, 1057 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.70 (m, 1H, C5’-H), 1.77 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 1.88
(m, 1H, C5’-H), 2.06 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 2.20 (m, 2H, C4’-H), 3.60 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 6.00 (m, 1H, C2’-H), 6.17
(m, 1H, C3’-H), 6.19 (s, 1H, OH), 7.20 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.36 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.42
(m, 1H, C6-H), 7.44 (m, 1H, C7-H), 7.75 (m, 1H, C5-H), 8.17 (m, 1H, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 21.76
(C-5’), 25.07 (C-4’), 30.14 (C-6’), 39.76 (C-1’), 119.95 (C-4), 121.54 (C-8), 123.56 (C-2), 125.14 (C-7), 125.17
(C-8a), 125.68 (C-6), 127.37 (C-5), 128.02 (C-3), 129.89 (C-2’), 132.16 (C-3’), 133.47 (C-4a), 149.42 (C-1).
MS: m/z = 224 (M+, 100), 195 (M+-C2H5, 75), 165 (M+-C4H11, 43), 152 (34), 139 (22).
2-[(Z)-Cyclohept-2-enyl]naphthalen-1-ol (4e).Yield: 36%; Rf = 0.8 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1); Rt = 7.49 min.
IR (KBr): 3442 (OH), 3053, 3013, 1654, 1649, 1599, 1572, 1508, 1442, 1385, 1356, 1290, 1267, 1230, 1177,
1
1112, 1070, 1021 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.55 (m, 1H, C5’-H),1.60 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 1.70 (m, 1H,
C6’-H), 1.95 (m, 2H, C5’-H), C6’-H)), 1.99 (m, 1H, C7’-H), 2.04 (m, 1H, C7’-H), 2.33 m, 1H, C4’-H), 2.43
(m, 1H, C4’-H), 4.65 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 5.83 (m, 1H, C2’-H), 5.86 (s, 1H, OH), 6.01 (m, 1H, C3’-H), 7.38
(d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.43 (m, 3H, C4-H), 7.76 (dd, J = 7.5 and 1.5 Hz, C5-H), 8.18 (dd, J = 7 and
2 Hz, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 27.25 (C-6’), 28.90 (C-6’), 29.53 (C-4’), 29.61 (C-5’), 33.59 (C-7’),

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43.27 (C-1’), 120.120.32 (C-4), 121.42 (C-8), 125.02 (C-2), 125.62 (C-3), 125.67 (C-8a), 126.76 (C-7), 127.40
(C-6), 127.47 (C-5), 133.30 (C-3’), 134.66 (C-2’), 134.76 (C-4a), 148.15 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 238 (M+, 100),
221 (M+-OH, 7.6), 209 (M+-C2H5, 23), 195 (M+-C3H7, 55). Anal. Calcd for C17H18O: C, 85.67; H, 7.61.
Found: C, 85.92; H, 7.42.
Dodecahydro-1H,6aH-dicyclohepta[b,e][1,4]dioxine (5b). Yield: 16%; Rf = 0.90 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1).
Rt = 5.62 min. IR (KBr): 1577, 1453, 1428, 1400, 1266, 1235, 1216, 1160, 1118, 1094, 1066, 1003 cm´1
.
1H-NMR (CDCl3):
C4-H, C8-H, and C10-H, 2.07 (m, 4H, C1-H, C5-H, C7-H, and C11-H), 2.35 (m, 4H, C1-H, C5-H, C7-H,
and C11-H), 4.65 (m, 4H, C5a-H, C6a-H, C11a-H, and C12a-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
= 23.18 (C-2, C-4,
δ = 1.66 (m, 8H, C2-H, C3-H, C4-H, C8-H, C9-H, and C10-H), 1.87 (m, 4H, C2-H,
δ
C-8, and C-10), 26.45 (C-3 and C-9), 33.21 (C-1, C-5, C-7 and C-11), 60.16 (C-5a, 6a, 11a and 12a).
MS: m/z (%) = 224 (M+, 68), 183 (M+-C3H5), 165 (M+-C3H5O, 92), 155 (M+-C5H9, 100). Anal. Calcd for
C14H24O2: C, 75.51; H, 10.70. Found: C, 75.78; H, 10.89.
1
2-[(Z)-Cyclooct-2-enyl]naphthalen-1-ol (4f). Yield: 52%; Rf = 0.83 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ
= 1.45 (m, 1H, C5’-H),1.53 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 1.68 (m, 1H, C7’-H), 1.83 (m, 3H, C5’-H, C6’-H, C7’-H), 1.97
(m, 1H, C8’-H), 2.02 (m, 1H, C8’-H), 2.31 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 2.54 (m, 1H, C4’-H), 4.07 (m, 1H, C1’-H), 5.53
(m, 1H, C2’-H), 5.79 (s, 1H, OH), 6.00 (m, 1H, C3’-H), 7.37 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.44 (m, 3H, C4-H),
7.76 (dd, J = 7.5 and 1.5 Hz, C5-H), 8.18 (dd, J = 7 and 2 Hz, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 25.64 (C-7’),
26.48 (C-6’), 26.80 (C-4’), 29.61 (C-5’), 33.59 (C-8’), 35.59 (C-1’), 120.13 (C-4), 121.54 (C-8), 124.02 (C-2),
124.17 (C-3), 124.76 (C-8a), 125.17 (C-7), 125.63 (C-6), 127.37 (C-5), 132.80 (C-3’), 132.88 (C-2’), 133.25
(C-4a), 149.26 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 252 (M+, 100), 251 (M+-H, 69), 223 (M+-C2H5, 60). Anal. Calcd for
C18H20O: C, 75.72; H, 7.93. Found: C, 75.79; H, 8.14.
4-(Cyclohex-2-enyl)naphthalen-1-ol (6d). Yield: 28%; Rf = 0.5 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). Rt = 7.02 min. IR (KBr):
3331 (OH), 3058, 3018, 1626, 1599, 1587, 1517, 1445, 1377, 1354, 1302, 1264, 1212, 1146, 1049 cm´1
.
1H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.67 (m, 3H, C5’-H and C6’-H), 2.12 (m, 3H, C4’-H and C6’-H), 4.12 (m, 1H,
C1’-H), 5.45 (br.s, 1H, OH), 5.80 (m, 1H, C2’-H), 5.98 (m, 1H, C3’-H), 6.73 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.18
(d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.46 (m, 1H, C7-H), 7.50 (m, 1H, C6-H), 8.07 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C5-H), 8.23
(d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C8-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 20.72 (C-5’), 25.28 (C-4’), 30.92 (C-6’), 36.53 (C-1’), 108.05
(C-2), 122.41 (C-8), 123.43 (C-5), 124.69 (C-7), 124.89 (C-8a), 124.98 (C-3), 126.25 (C-6), 128.62 (C-3’),
130.45 (C-2’), 132.39 (C-4a), 134.30 (C-4), 149.96 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 224 (M+, 100), 207 (M+-OH, 6),
195 (M+-C2H5, 74), 181 (M+-C3H7, 70), 165 (39), 152 (36). Anal. Calcd for C16H16O: C, 85.68; H, 7.19.
Found: C, 85.43; H, 7.39.
4-(Cyclohept-2-enyl)naphthalen-1-ol (6e). Yield: 32%; Rf = 0.42 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). Rt = 7.47 min.
IR (KBr): 3357 (OH), 3072, 3052, 1626, 1601, 1589, 1516, 1443, 1378, 1355, 1275, 1258, 1215, 1146, 1054,
1014 cm´1 1H-NMR (CDCl3):
. δ = 1.53 (m, 1H, C5’-H), 1.74 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 1.85 (m, 1H, C5’-H),
1.94 (m, 2H, C7’-H), 1.99 (m, 1H, C6’-H), 2.32 (m, 2H, C4’-H), 4.1 (br.s, 1H, OH), 4.20 (m, 1H, C1’-H),
5.80 (m, 1H, C2’-H), 5.88 (m, 1H, C3’-H), 6.76 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.23 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H),
7.47 (m, 1H, C7-H), 7.51 (m, 1H, C6-H), 8.04 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H, C5-H), 8.23 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H, C8-H).
13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 27.17 (C-5’), 28.88 (C-4’), 30.64 (C-6’), 35.01 (C-7’), 42.35 (C-1’), 108.16 (C-2),
122.30 (C-8), 123.82 (C-3), 123.92 (C-5), 124.72 (C-7), 124.88 (C-8a), 126.15 (C-7), 131.28 (C-3’), 132.14
(C-4a), 136.09 (C-4), 137.75 (C-2’), 149.79 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 238 (M+, 100), 221 (M+-OH, 10), 209
(M+-C2H5, 32), 195 (M+-C3H7, 181 (M+-C4H9, 75), 169 (M+-C5H9, 45). Anal. Calcd for C17H18O: C,
85.67; H, 7.61. Found: C, 85.78; H, 7.89.
4-(Cycloheptylmethyl)phenol (
was stirred under argon at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was quenched with 1 N
NaOH (3 mL) and then extracted with chloroform (3 10 mL). The combined organic layers were
dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography to
7). A mixture of 4f (192 mg, 0.95 mmol) and CF3SO3H (1.6 mL, 1.9 mmol)
ˆ
yield
7
(60 mg, 32%), light yellow oil. Rf = 0.6 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). Rt = 7.54 min. IR (KBr): 3363 (OH),
1
1612, 1597, 1513, 1458, 1445, 1375, 1359, 1223, 1171, 1043 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.15 (m, 2H,

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C2’-H and C7’-H), 1.37 (m, 2H, C3’-H and C6’-H), 1.49 (m, 2H, C4’-H and C5’-H), 1.60 (m, 4H, C3’-H,
C4’-H, C5’-H and C6’-H), 1.68 (m, 3H, C1’-H, C2’-H and C7’-H), 2.43 (d, J = 7 Hz, 2H, CH2), 4.7 (br.s, 1H,
OH), 6.73 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H, C2-H and C6-H), 7.00 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H, C3-H and C5-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ
= 26-36 (C-3’ and C-6’), 28.40 (C-4’ and C-5’), 34.32 (C-2’ and C-7’). 41.50 (C-1’), 43.59 (CH2), 114.90
(C-2 and C6), 130.21 (C-3 and C-5), 134.11 (C-4), 153.41 (C-1). MS: m/z (%) = 204 (M+, 16), 203 (M+-1,
100). Anal. Calcd for C14H20O: C, 82.30; H, 9.87. Found: C, 82.58; H, 9.69.
3.4. General Procedures for Cyclization of Compounds 4a,b and 4d–f
Method A: A mixture of
temperature for 4 h. The reaction mixture was quenched with water (15 mL), the resulting solution
was basified with 1 N NaOH solution and extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 15 mL). The combined organic
4 (1 mmol) and 0.30 g (0.18 mL, 2 mmol) of CF3SO3H was stirred at room
ˆ
layers were dried over MgSO4; solvent was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was purified by
column chromatography.
Method B: Compounds
4
(3 mmol) were heated in microwave reactor at 210 ˝C for 8 h.
After cooling, the reaction mixture was purified by column chromatography.
1,2,3,4,4a,9b-Hexahydrodibenzo[b,d]furan (8a) [38]. Method A. Yield 52%.
1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrodibenzo[b,d]furan (9a) [39]. Method B. Yield 46%.
6,7,8,9,10,10a-Hexahydro-5aH-benzo[b]cyclohepta[d]furan (8b) [39]. Method B. Yield: 14%.
7,8,9,10-Tetrahydro-6H-benzo[b]cyclohepta[d]furan (9b) [39]. Method B. Yield 56%.
5a,6,7,8,9,10,11,11a-Octahydrobenzo[b]cycloocta[d]furan (8b) [40]. Method A. Yield: 56%.
6b,7,8,9,10,10a-Hexahydrobenzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furan (8d). Method A. Yield: 45%, light yellow oil.
Rf = 0.76 (hexane–EtOAc 5:1). Rt = 6.23 min. IR (KBr): 1637, 1572, 1508, 1441, 1374, 1351, 1258, 1176,
1
1074, 1039 cm´1. H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 1.95 (m, 2H, C8-H), 1.97 (m, 2H, C9-H), 270 (m, 2H, C7-H), 2.82
(m, 2H, C10-H), 4.87 (m, 1H, C6b-H), 4.89 (m, 1H, C10a-H), 7.27 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C3-H), 7.40 (d, J = 8 Hz,
1H, C6-H), 7.44 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C2-H), 7.55 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C5-H), 7.80 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 8.20
(d, J = 8 Hz, 1H, C1-H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 21.80 (C-7), 22.90 (C-8), 23.07 (C-9), 23.61 (C-10), 44.70
(C-10), 89.50 (C-6b), 117.75 (C-1), 118.55 (C-11b), 121.35 (C-5), 124.05 (C-3), 125.98 (C-2), 128.34 (C-4),
130.87 (C-4a), 149.35 (C-11a). MS: m/z (%) = 224 (M+, 64), 195 (M+-C2H5, 7.5), 181 (M+-C3H7, 42), 170
((M+-C4H6, 100), 152 (M+-C4H8O, 15). Anal. Calcd for C16H16O: C, 85.72; H, 7.12. Found: C, 85.58;
H, 7.59.
7,8,9,10-Tetrahydrobenzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furan. (9d) [13]. Method B. Yield 53%.
7,8,9,10,11,11a-Hexahydro-6bH-cyclohepta[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furan (8e) [13]. Method A. Yield: 49%.
7,8,9,10,11-Pentahydrocyclohepta[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furan (9e) [13]. Method B. Yield: 67%.
6b,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a-Octahydrocycloocta[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furan (8f) [13]. Method B. Yield: 48%.
4. Conclusions
The acid-catalyzed Claisen and Cope rearrangements of cycloalkenyl phenyl and naphthyl
ethers
temperature conditions. The acid-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of compounds
corresponding cycloalkanobenzofuran and cycloalkanonaphthofurans 8a and 8e . In the microwave
assisted reactions of compounds partial aromatization of the products took place and compounds
3
afforded 2- and 4-substituted phenols and naphth-1-ols
4
and
6
, respectively, under moderate
4
gave the
–
c
,f
4
8
9
were isolated as a result of the required higher reaction temperature. The divergent product formations
of the acidic and thermal activations have been rationalized by DFT calculations.

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The acid-catalyzed reaction of 2-cyclooctanylphenol 4f represents an unexpected twist. After the
Cope rearrangement, a migration of the alkyl group took place and as a result of this ring contraction
reaction we could isolate 4-cyclohepthylmethylphenol (7).
Author Contributions: L. Novak and A. Stirling conceived and decided the experiments, M. Törincsi and M. Nagy
performed the experiments, T. Bihari performed the calculations, and P. Kolonits analyzed the analytical data.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References and Notes
1.
2.
3.
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Kongkathip, N. Inhibitory effect of 2-substituted-1-naphthol derivatives on cyclooxygenase I and II.
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Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds 3–8 are available from the authors.
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