The Alkaline Hydrolysis of Some Lignin Model 2-Arylcoumarans

Abstract

Reaction of the 2-arylcoumaran (2b) with 2b sodium hydroxide at 170º gave predominantly the (E)- and (2)-stilbenes (4a) and (5a) in the ratio 1 : 2, and the 2-arylbenzofuran (6) as a minor product. The isomeric 1,2-diarylpropan-1-ols (7b) and (8b) were prepared and gave on treatment with 2N sodium hydroxide at 170º an analogous mixture of stilbene isomers to that obtained from the coumaran (2b). The mechanism of formation of compounds (4a), (5a), and (6) is discussed.