The direct synthesis of sterically hindered, partially etherified derivatives of tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene is reported by using the McMurry reductive olefination reaction on a range of differentially substituted 2,2′-dialkoxy benzophenone substrates. Three orthogonal protection strategies are demonstrated, incorporating β-silylethyl, 3-butenyl, and tert-butyl protecting groups, respectively, into the starting benzophenones. The latter proved most efficient, with both the McMurry coupling and deprotection steps occurring concomitantly under the McMurry conditions to directly yield the desired bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-bis(2-methoxyphenyl)ethene as a 1:1 mixture of E- and Z-diastereoisomers.Key words: preorganized polyaryloxide ligands, McMurry olefination, titanium trichloride, supramolecular chemistry, tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene, 2,2′-disubstituted benzophenone.
