NOVEL CARBON–CARBON BOND CLEAVAGE REACTIONS OF α-AZOHYDROPEROXIDES

Abstract
1-Phenylazo-l-hydroperoxycyclohexanes, easily prepared by the autoxidation of cyclohexanone phenyl hydrazones, have been found to undergo C(1)–C(2) bond cleavages when treated with acids, bases, or reducing reagents under mild conditions. Thus 6-oxoalkanoic acids and their derivatives have been obtained in good yields from 2-hydroxycyclohexanone derivatives. The 2-hydroxyl group seems to play an important role for the cleavage.