Variation of the aromatic part and synthesis of dihydronaphthalene derivatives

The rearrangement of substituted allyl benzyl ethers induced by zeolite beta to yield 4-arylbutanals was investigated with respect to the substituents in the aromatic ring. The analysis of substrates carrying other aromatic parts than p-methoxyphenyl was conducted as part of the study of the scope and limitations of the BenzAll rearrangement. It was found that the resulting aldehydes undergo spontaneous cyclization to produce dihydronaphthalene derivatives in some cases.