Convenient synthesis of novel cyclophanes having plural hydroquinone or benzoquinone units from cyclic polyethers

This paper reports a facile way to prepare novel cyclophanes from cyclic polyethers (1). Cyclic polyethers (1) composed of functional methallyl 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone diether subunits were prepared by the reaction of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone with methallyl dichloride. Cyclophanes having plural hydroquinone or benzoquinone units were obtained directly in high yields by the rearrangement and/or subsequent oxidation of the cyclic polyethers (1).