Selective aromatic chlorination of activated arenes with sodium chlorite, (salen)manganese(III) complex, and alumina in dichloromethane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1139/v97-625

The reaction of alkyl phenyl ethers with sodium chlorite in dichloromethane in the presence of a (salen)manganese(III) complex and alumina preloaded with a small amount of water afforded monochlorination products with unusually high para selectivities under mild conditions. The NaClO₂-based biphasic system can also be successfully used for the regioselective monochlorination of substituted anisoles and polymethoxybenzenes.