Optimization Strategies for the Anodic Phenol‐Arene Cross‐Coupling Reaction

3,4′,5,5′-Tetramethoxy-2′-methylbiphenyl-4-ol

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C17H20O5, contains two independent molecules, A and B, with similar geometries [dihedral angles between the phenyl rings = 56.19 (8) and 54.98 (7)°, respectively]. Intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds occur in both molecules. In the crystal, the A molecules form [1\overline{1}0] chains linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds from the hydroxyl group to one of the methoxy O atoms. The B molecules form O—H...O hydrogen bonds to the hydroxyl O atoms of the A molecules and thus act as fixed spacers between the chains of molecule A. Some weak C—H...O contacts are also present.