A new approach for oxygenation using nitric oxide under the influence of N-hydroxyphthalimide

An approach for partial oxygenation through a carbocation as an intermediate was successfully developed by using nitric oxide under the influence of N-hydroxyphthalimide. Thus, a variety of benzylic ethers were converted into the corresponding partially oxidized compounds, which are difficult to prepare by conventional methods, in high yields. For example, the reaction of phthalane with NO in the presence of a catalytic amount of NHPI at 60 degrees C gave phthalaldehyde in 80% yield. The reaction was found to proceed through the formation of a hemiacetal, such as 1-hydroxyphthalane. In addition, 1,3-di-tert-butoxymethyl benzene afforded 1,3-benzenedicarbaldehyde in good yield. On the other hand, isochroman was converted into 1,1'-oxodiisochromane under these reaction conditions. The reaction of ethers with NO in the presence of a NHPI catalyst is thought to proceed via the formation of a carbocation as an intermediate. A possible reaction path was suggested.