Phase-transfer nucleophilic aromatic substitution of chromium tricarbonyl complexed dichlorobenzenes with alcohols

The Cr(CO)3 complexes (I) of o- and p-Cl2C6H4 reacted with ROH (R = Me, Me2CH) in the presence of KOH under phase-transfer conditions to give the monoalkoxy products. The meta isomer of I gave disubstitution products as well. Treating all isomers of I with ROH in Me2SO gave dialkoxy derivs. in all cases. The results were discussed in terms of conformations.