Breaking paracyclophane: the unexpected formation of non-symmetric disubstituted nitro[2.2]metaparacyclophanes.

Substituted [2.2]metaparacyclophanes are amongst the least studied of the simple cyclophanes. This is undoubtedly the result of the lengthy syntheses of these compounds. We report the simple synthesis of a rare example of a non-symmetric [2.2]metaparacyclophane. Treatment of [2.2]paracyclophane under standard nitration conditions gives a mixture of 4-nitro[2.2]paracyclophane, 4-hydroxy-5-nitro[2.2]metaparacyclophane and a cyclohexadienone cyclophane.