Reactions of organic compounds in adsorbed monolayers. I. Ozonation of 3,7-dimethyloctyl acetate

Abstract

Oxidation with ozone of 3,7-dimethyloctyl acetate (7) adsorbed on silica gel, alumina or barium sulphate proceeds in good yield and affords mainly the 7-hydroxy compound (8) and the 7-nor-ketone (9). Minor products include the 3-alcohol (10) and the 3,7-diol (11). The reaction involves interaction of gaseous ozone with the adsorbed organic substrate. The relative yields of the various products are related to the substrate loading. The results show that the very high regioselectivity exhibited by the reaction when conducted under suitable experimental conditions may be attributed to the mutual steric effect of one molecule upon the other in the adsorbed monolayer.