A sliding cyclohexane rearrangement mediated by zirconium tetrachloride

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00634-X

6-Methoxytetralins may be smoothly transformed into 5-methoxytetralins through the action of zirconium tetrachloride. The rearrangement occurs at ambient temperature in chloroform and proceeds via fragmentation of the carbon-carbon bond para to the methoxy substituent followed by an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation.