Selectivity in the anodic oxidation of cis- and trans-methoxylated propenylbenzenes. A useful expedient for the preparation of pure cis-propenylbenzene derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(92)88157-Z

Anodic oxidation of cis/trans mixtures of 1,2-dimethoxy-4-propenylbenzene, 4-methoxy-propenylbenzene, and 1,2-methylenedioxy-4-propenylbenzene led to preferential reaction of the trans-isomer. This result was applied to a preparative method for obtaining the pure (>98%) cis-isomer.