Ethylene derivatives 1.2- ditosylates

Both the (RR)- and (5S)-enantiomers of hydrobenzoin (Figure I4a) have been made to react (110, 117, 118) successfully in a (2 + 2) cyclization with ethylene glycol ditosylate in the presence of bases (e.g., NaOH in dioxane or NaH in MA -dimethylformamide) to give the enantiomeric tetiaphenyl-18-crown-6 derivatives (RRRR)-73 and (SSSS)-73. The corresponding optically pure tetra-anisyl, tetra-a-naphthyl, and tetra-/3-naphthyl-18-crown-6 derivatives 74, 75, and 76, respectively, have also been prepared in similar fashion (119). It should be noted that (RRRR)- and (,SSSS)-73 have also been obtained as a result of a base-promoted (1 + 1) cyclization (120) between the chiral extended diol and... 

The original method beginning from acetylphenols (cf Scheme 1) has been improved by using commercially available p-vinylphenol and oligo(ethylene glycol) ditosylates in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide. The improved method usually affords corresponding styrene derivatives in nearly quantitative yields. 

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