Selective Synthesis of 1,4-Dialkylbenzenes from Terephthalic Acid

Terephthalic acid reacts with alkyl halides under Birch conditions to substituted 1,4-cyclohexadienes in high yields and good stereoselectivities. Electrophiles containing ester or nitrile groups undergo a surprising fragmentation under the reaction conditions. Subsequent treatment with chlorosulfonic acid proceeds by an interesting tandem decarbonylation/decarboxylation, affording 1,4-dialkylbenzenes in excellent regioselectivity. Thus our new method is superior to classical Friedel-Crafts alkylations.