Synthesis and stereochemical properties of "extended" biphenols bridged by ortho-, meta-, and para-phenylene spacers

A series of isomeric biphenols based on para- (1), meta- (2), and ortho- (3) terphenyl backbones was synthesized. Suzuki cross-coupling methodology was employed for the construction of the terphenyl backbone of their methyl-protected precursors (respectively 8, 13, and 16). Using K2CO3 as the base, the best reaction conditions involved DMF at 100 °C as solvent. Anhydrous conditions greatly improved the yields of the sterically crowded systems (particularly 16). ortho-Terphenyls 3 and 16 exist as mixtures of syn/anti atropisomers in solution. Compound 16 crystallizes in the anti-in form. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level indicate that for both compounds the anti-in form is mor…