Cyclohexadienones from 2.6- dimethylphenol

Polymerization Mechanism. The mechanism that accounts for the experimental observations of oxidative coupling of 2,6-disubstituted phenols involves an initial formation of aryloxy radicals from oxidation of the phenol with the oxidized form of the copper—amine complex or other catalytic agent. The aryloxy radicals couple to form cyclohexadienones, which undergo enolization and redistribution steps (32). The initial steps of the polymerization scheme for 2,6-dimethylphenol are as in equation 6. 

Lithium 2,6 dimethylphenoxide, from 2,6-dimethylphenol, 46,115 methylation of, to form 2,6,6-tri-methyl 2,4 cyclohexadienone, 46, US... 

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