Methylase models: studies on general-base vs. nucleophilic catalysis in the intramolecular alkylation of phenols

JO Knipe, PJ Vasquez, JK Coward

Index: Knipe, Jay O.; Vasquez, Peter J.; Coward, James K. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1982 , vol. 104, # 11 p. 3202 - 3209

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Citation Number: 20

Abstract

Abstract: The ortho substituted phenols, 1 and 3, have been synthesized as models for the 0- methylation of catecholamines, as catalyzed by catechol 0-methyltransferase. The decomposition of 1 and 3 was studied at 40" C over a wide range of pH in both oxyanion and amine buffers. Buffer catalysis of the reaction is observed, and product analyses show that oxyanion buffers catalyze a cyclization reaction to yield chroman (4) or 4, 4- ...