One-electron oxidation of alkyl alkoxybenzenes by ω-fluorosulfonylperfluorodiacyl peroxide

The oxidation of p-methylanisole 3a, dialkoxybenzenes 3b, 3c and alkyl dialkoxybenzenes 3d–h by perfluorodi[1-(2-fluorosulfonyl) ethoxy]propionyl peroxide 1 afforded main products 4-ω-fluorosulfonylperfluoroalkyl-4-alkoxy-2,5-cyclohexa-dienones and minor ring ω-fluorosulfonylperfluoroalkylation products. The electron transfer mechanism of the reactions is also proved by ESR detection of the radical cations of the donor molecules.