The Synthesis of 9-Phenanthrol from 9-Bromophenanthrene by Alkalinehydrolysis

Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of Phenanthrene Derivatives. III

Abstract

A new preparative method of 9-phenanthrol was investgated. In the presence of cuprous bromide (22.6 g), 9-bromophenanthrene (50 g) was heated in an autoclave (500 cc) with 200% aq. sodium hydroxide (300 cc) for 5 hours at 230°C, and almost pure 9-phenanthrol was obtained in a quantitative yield (9599%). Among the catalysts examined, cuprous bromide and cuprous oxide gave the best results.