Folding-promoted TBAX-mediated selective demethylation of methoxybenzene-based macrocyclic aromatic pentamers

Org Biomol Chem. 2012 Jun 7;10(21):4164-71. doi: 10.1039/c2ob25160d. Epub 2012 Mar 29.

Abstract

Described in this study is the ability of tetrabutylammonium salts (TBAX) to mediate an efficient mono- or di-demethylation removing one or two out of five aromatic methoxy methyl groups situated in similar chemical microenvironments in a H-bonded macrocyclic aromatic pentamer. These demethylations are found to be both chemo- and regioselective, and promoted by the H-bonding directed folding of the macrocyclic backbone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anisoles / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Kinetics
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Methylation
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Anisoles
  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • anisole
  • tetrabutylammonium