Unusual Substitution of -SCH₃ by -OH in 9,10-Dihydrophenanthrene

The unusual nucleophilic substitution of methylthio by a hydroxyl group in the presence of alkali and dimethylformamide in the synthesis of methyl 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-7-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-4-carboxylate, C₂₃H₁₉ClO₄, has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structure determination.

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