A new protocol for the synthesis of 4,7,12,15-tetrachloro[2.2]paracyclophane

We report a green and convenient protocol to prepare 4,7,12,15-tetrachloro[2.2]paracyclophane, the precursor of parylene D, from 2,5-dichloro-p-xylene. In the first bromination step, with H2O2–HBr as a bromide source, this procedure becomes organic-waste-free and organic-solvent-free and can appropriately replace the existing bromination methods. The Winberg elimination–dimerization step, using aqueous sodium hydroxide solution instead of silver oxide for anion exchange, results in a significant improvement in product yield. Furthermore, four substituted [2.2]paracyclophanes were also prepared in this convenient way.