Trans-etherification of catechol-type benzylic ether with diols as a route to new sterically hindered bis-catechols

The trans-etherification of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether with α,ω-alkanediols under mild conditions (CHCl₃, 65°C) leads to new sterically hindered biscatechols in high yields. The molecular structures of three of them was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.