The sliding cyclohexane rearrangement

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)10014-X

6-methoxytetralins may be transformed into 8-methoxytetralins through the action of zirconium tetrachloride. Yields are generally good though turnover is slow. Ultrasonic irradiation, phase transfer catalysts, crown ethers and lithium chloride all accelerate the reaction which proceeds via scission of the C-1 to C-8a bond and cyclisation by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation.