Condensations of N-arylhydroxylamines for the preparation of 5,5′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-dihydroxydiphenylamine

Acid-promoted condensation of 4-tert-butyl-2-hydroxylaminoanisole with p-tert-butylphenol resulted in the formation of 5,5′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-dihydroxydiphenylamine upon demethylation with BBr3. Protection of the acidic phenol unit was required to isolate the acid labile N-arylhydroxylamine intermediate.