Synthesis of benzyl chlorides and cycloveratrylene macrocycles using benzylic alcohols under homogeneous catalysis by HCl/dioxane

The synthesis of benzyl chlorides, cyclic derivatives cyclotriveratrylene and cyclotripiperotrylene were carried out in using the HCl/dioxane system as a catalyst. The reaction proceeded with high selectivity and is sensitive to the number of alkyl and methoxy substituent on the aromatic ring.