Accessing para-Alkylphenols via Iridium-Catalyzed Site-Specific Deoxygenation of Alcohols

An iridium-catalyzed and phenol-directed deoxygenation of benzylic alcohols comes as an alternative access to 4-alkylphenols, featuring low catalyst loading (S/C up to 20,000, TOF up to 12,400 h-1), high functionality compatibility, and excellent site-selectivity. The applications in late-stage modification of steroids and gram-scale total synthesis of a Gastrodia elata extract are highlighted. Mechanistically, the intermediacy of quinone methide controls the site-selectivity, and the formation of iridium hydride serves as the rate-limiting step.

Recent advances in catalytic oxidative reactions of phenols and naphthalenols

This critical review aims to provide an overview of oxidative phenol and naphthalenol transformations in nature and synthetic chemistry.