Process for the preparation of (2,2)-paracyclophane and derivatives thereof

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Process for the preparation of (2,2)-paracyclophane or derivatives thereof by the Hofmann elimination of p-methylbenzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide or derivatives thereof in an aqueous, solution of an alkali metal hydroxide wherein said elimination, is carried out in the presence of a dialkylether of mono- and poly-ethylene glycols having the formula: R - O ? CH2CH2O ? n R' (1), wherein R and R' which may be the same or different, represent alkyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and n is an integer, from 1 to 5. Such polymers are well known as intermediates in the preparation of the corresponding poly-p-xylylenes themselves, used as coating films.