29556-89-6

Upstream product

• 14385-49-0 8-(4'-methoxyphenoxy)acetophenone 
• 377767-76-5 2-(4'-methoxyphenoxy)-2-phenylethanol 
• 96-09-3 styrene oxide 
• 1122-95-8 sodium 4-methoxyphenolate 
• 70-11-1 α-bromoacetophenone 
• 150-76-5 4-methoxy-phenol 
• 150-19-6 O-methylresorcine 
• 19803-06-6 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one 
• 18064-99-8 2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-1-phenyl-ethanone 

Downstream Products

• 93-58-3 benzoic acid methyl ester 
• 150-76-5 4-methoxy-phenol 
• 98-86-2 acetophenone 
• 65-85-0 benzoic acid 
• 100-52-7 benzaldehyde 
• 19803-06-6 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one 
• 14385-49-0 8-(4'-methoxyphenoxy)acetophenone 
• 108-95-2 phenol 
• 377767-76-5 2-(4'-methoxyphenoxy)-2-phenylethanol 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Catalytic C–O bond cleavage in a β-O-4 lignin model through intermolecular hydrogen transfer

A base-free and redox neutral approach for the selective breaking of aryl ether bond (C–O) contained by a lignin model compound mimicking a β-O-4 linkage is reported. A palladium loaded metal-organic framework (MOF) was used as a catalyst for this purpose. The reaction proceeds through dehydrogenation of benzylic alcohol moiety followed by the hydrogenolysis of the ether bonds. Therefore, no external hydrogen source is required for the reaction to take place.

Cleavage∕cross-coupling strategy for converting β-O-4 linkage lignin model compounds into high valued benzyl amines via dual C–O bond cleavage

Lignin is the most recalcitrant of the three components of lignocellulosic biomass. The strength and stability of the linkages have long been a great challenge for the degradation and valorization of lignin biomass to obtain bio-fuels and commercial chemicals. Up to now, the selective cleavage of C–O linkages of lignin to afford chemicals contains only C, H and O atoms. Our group has developed a cleavage/cross-coupling strategy for converting 4-O-5 linkage lignin model compounds into high value-added compounds. Herein, we present a palladium-catalyzed cleavage/cross-coupling of the β-O-4 lignin model compounds with amines via dual C–O bond cleavage for the preparation of benzyl amine compounds and phenols.

Visible-light-induced C-C bond cleavage of lignin model compounds with cyanobenziodoxolone

The catalytic degradation of lignin to value-added chemicals has received considerable attention over the past decade. Photocatalysis provides promising approaches to enable previously inaccessible transformations. However, examples of the visible-light promoted degradation of lignin are still limited. In this work, the visible-light-induced selective C-C bond cleavage of β-O-4 lignin model compounds has been disclosed via β-scission of in situ generated alkoxy radical intermediates. With cyanobenziodoxolone as the oxidant, a variety of substrates could be transformed into aldehydes in moderate to good yields. In addition, unexpected acetal esters which could conveniently furnish formaldehyde and phenols by alcoholysis were observed.

Oxidative conversion of lignin and lignin model compounds catalyzed by CeO2-supported Pd nanoparticles

The oxidative transformation of lignin into aromatic compounds is an attractive route for chemical utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. Unlike hydrogenolysis, no consumption of expensive hydrogen is required for the oxidative transformation. However, only limited success has been achieved for the oxidative conversion of lignin. Here, we report that cerium oxide-supported palladium nanoparticles (Pd/ CeO2) can efficiently catalyze the one-pot oxidative conversion of 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol, a lignin model compound containing a β-O-4 bond and a Cα-hydroxyl group, in methanol in the presence of O2, producing phenol, acetophenone and methyl benzoate as the major products. Pd nanoparticles played a pivotal role in the oxidation of a Cα-hydroxyl group into a Cα-ketonic group, which was crucial for the transformation of the model compound. The presence of the Cα-ketonic group activated the β-O-4 bond, which was subsequently cleaved over the Pd/CeO2 catalyst, affording phenol and acetophenone. At the same time, the Cα-Cβ bond also underwent oxidative cleavage catalyzed by CeO2, producing benzoic acid and further methyl benzoate. The Pd/CeO2 catalyst could also catalyze the oxidative conversion of organosolv lignin under mild conditions (458 K), producing vanillin, guaiacol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde.

Versatile iridicycle catalysts for highly efficient and chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds in water

Cyclometalated iridium complexes are shown to be highly efficient and chemoselective catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of a wide range of carbonyl groups with formic acid in water. Examples include α-substituted ketones (α-ether, α-halo, α-hydroxy, α-amino, α-nitrile or α-ester), α-keto esters, β-keto esters and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The reduction was carried out at substrate/catalyst ratios of up to 50000 at pH 4.5 and required no organic solvent. The protocol provides a practical, easy and efficient way for the synthesis of β-functionalised secondary alcohols, such as β-hydroxyethers, β-hydroxyamines and β-hydroxyhalo compounds, which are valuable intermediates in pharmaceutical, fine chemical, perfume and agrochemical synthesis. Water wonder: Iridicycle catalysts are versatile and allow the highly efficient and chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of a variety of carbonyl compounds, including problematic and challenging ones, with formate in neat water (see scheme).

Synergistic dual activation catalysis by palladium nanoparticles for epoxide ring opening with phenols

Synergistic dual activation catalysis has been devised for epoxide phenolysis wherein palladium nanoparticles induce electrophilic activation via coordination with the epoxide oxygen followed by nucleophilic activation through anion-π interaction with the aromatic ring of the phenol, and water (reaction medium) also renders assistance through 'epoxide-phenol' dual activation.

2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2- diazaphosphorine supported on polystyrene (PS-BEMP) as an efficient recoverable and reusable catalyst for the phenolysis of epoxides under solvent-free conditions

2-tert-Butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3, 2-diazaphosphorine supported on polystyrene (PS-BEMP) is an efficient catalyst for the ring-opening of epoxides with phenols (1.0 equiv.). Excellent yields have been obtained and in most of the cases the final products have been isolated in pure form without any additional purification step. E-factors associated to this protocol are small and further improvements were obtained by setting a cyclic continuous-flow reactor operating under solvent-free conditions (SolFC) that allowed us to minimize waste and reduce the E-factor by 95% compared to batch conditions. In addition the representative synthesis of a 2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxepin-5-one has been realized. Optimization of this process was achieved by setting up an automated multi-step continuous-flow reactor based on a phenolysis process and a subsequent lactonization by thermal treatment of the reaction mixture. 3-Phenoxymethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[e][1,4] dioxepin-5-one was isolated in pure form and on a multi-gram scale in a very satisfactory 86% overall yield and an E-factor of 1.47.

Highly regioselective ring opening of oxiranes with phenoxides in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in water

Highly regioselective ring opening of oxiranes to β-hydroxy ethers with phenoxides has been achieved in impressive yields in the presence of β-cyclodextrin as catalyst and water as solvent.

Oxidation of non-phenolic β-O-aryl-lignin model dimers catalysed by lignin peroxidase. Comparison with the oxidation induced by potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate

The H2O2-promoted oxidations of the non-phenolic β-O-aryl-lignin model dimers 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxyethanol (1) and 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenylethanol (2) catalysed by LiP at pH = 4.0 have been studied. The oxidation of 1 mainly leads to the corresponding ketone, indicating that the prevailing reaction of the intermediate radical cation 1 +. is Cα-H deprotonation. The oxidation of 2 forms 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)2-phenylethanol (7, an isomer of 2), 2-phenyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-one (8) and products coming from the cleavage of the C-C bond γ to the more electron rich ring. The formation of all these products can be rationalised by assuming that the main reaction of the intermediate 2+. is a nucleophilic attack of the alcoholic OH group on the ring bearing the positive charge. This leads to a spirocyclohexadienyl radical, which either is then oxidised to the dioxaspirodecadienone 8 or undergoes ring opening to give an alkoxyl radical from which the isomer of 2 and the C-C bond cleavage products may form. Support for this mechanism has been provided by a study of the oxidation of 4-MeOC6H4OCH2CD2OH and by comparing the results with those obtained when the alkoxyl radical 4-MeOC6H4OCH2CD2O. was generated from 4-MeOC6H4OCH2CD2OOtBu. The oxidation of 1 induced by the genuine one-electron oxidant potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate at pH = 4.0 confirms the results obtained with LiP. However, under the same conditions, no fragmentation products were observed in the oxidation of 2, probably due to a fast oxidation, by potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate, of the spirocyclohexadienyl radical.