Pyryliumverbindungen. 37. Arylbenzene aus 2,4,6-Triaryl-pyryliumsalzen und Carbonsäureanhydriden

Pyrylium Compounds. 37. Arylbenzenes from 2,4,6-Triarylpyrylium Salts and Carboxylic Acid Anhydrides Refluxing 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium salts 1 with excess carboxylic acid anhydrides (RCH₂CO)₂O ( 2a : R = H, 2b : R = Me) in the presence of condensing agents like sodium or potassium acetate, sodium carbonate or methoxide, triethylamine or pyridine results in 1,3,5-triarylbenzenes 3 (R = H, Me). Under similar conditions, phenylacetic acid anhydride ( 2c ), generated in situ from sodium phenylacetate and excess 2a or 2b , yields 1,2,3,5-tetraarylbenzenes 3 (R = Ph). Thus, the reaction 1 + 2 → 3 represents a new and simple method for replacing the pyrylium heteroatom =O^⊕– by the =CR– moiety (R = H, Me, Ph). The structure of the arylbenzenes 3 was proved by spectroscopic methods, by comparison with literature data or by independent synthesis. As by-products 2-acyloxy-benzophenones 10 are formed. Reaction of 3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-triphenyl-pyrylium perchlorate ( 11 ) with acetic acid anhydride/sodium acetate (or sodium phenylacetate) takes another course leading to 2-acetoxy-3,5-dimethyl-4,6-diphenyl-benzophenone ( 15 ), whereas treatment of 11 with propionic acid anhydride/sodium acetate follows the reaction scheme 1 + 2 → 3 giving 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-triphenylbenzene ( 16 ). The mechanisms of the different pyrylium ring transformations are discussed.