Reactivity in Cleavage of Dimethoxybenzenes by Sodium in Liquid Ammonia.
The sodium/liquid ammonia cleavage of the dimethoxybenzenes and related substances, reported in large part by Birch in 1947, has been re-examined with use of improved techniques. Remarkable patterns of reactivity (e.g., ortho > meta >> para) that he described are confirmed and extended. They are agreeably rationalized by means of a simple, approximate adaptation from MO theory.
Bunnett
Joseph F.
JF
Thimann Laboratories, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064.
Jenvey
Judy
J