Ring-opening Reaction of trans-4-Methoxystilbene Oxide with Benzoic Acid

Abstract

The ring-opening of trans-4-methoxystilbene oxide [1] with benzoic acid in chloroform gave a monobenzoate [2], which was converted to ketobenzoate [3]. The structure of [3] was determined by comparision with authentic ketobenzoates. The result revealed the doubtful mechanism of double inversion mechanism involved in the ring opening of [1].