Cs2CO3-PROMOTED VINYLATION OF PHENOLS WITH TRICHLOROETHYLENE: FACILE SYNTHESIS OF (E)-1,2-DICHLORO-1-PHENOXYETHENES

An efficient method for the synthesis of (E)-1,2-dichloro- 1-phenoxyethenes 2 has been developed. The reaction of phenol derivatives 1 with trichloroethylene at ambient temperature by means of Cs2CO3-DMSO system furnished the corresponding aryl vinyl ethers 2 in excellent yields. On the other hand, the same reaction of phenol derivatives li, 1k and 1p possessing an electron-withdrawing group at the o- or p-position of the hydroxy group required a harsh reaction conditions to heat at 70 degrees C for the synthesis of the desired products 2i, 2k and 2p.