Oxidation step in the preparation of benzocamalexin: The crystallographic evidence

The study of oxidation step in the preparation of benzocamalexin by the α-amidoalkylation–oxidation sequence revealed the formation of perchloro-1,2-phenylene dibenzoate as the product of transformation of tetrachloro- 1,2-benzoquinone applied as the oxidant. The structures of benzocamalexin and perchloro-1,2-phenylene dibenzoate were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The extraction step in the final isolation of benzocamalexin is supposed to be crucial for the complete transformation of mono- and di- acylated perchloropyrocatechol.