Anodic oxidation of methylnaphthalenes and 9-methylanthracene

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)00530-9

Anodic methoxylation of a series of methylnaphthalenes (1-methylnaphthalene, 2-methylnaphtholene, 1,3-dimethylnaphthalene, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, 1,5-dimethylnaphthalene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene) and 9-methylanthracene afforded a series of nuclear-addition products. The process of nuclear addition is only observed in an aromatic ring and no chain methoxylated products were obtained. A probable mechanism is provided.