Dehydrogenation process and intermediates.

摘要

A process for dehydrogenating a compound of the formula which comprises reacting the compound with a silylating agent in the presence of a quinone to introduce a DELTA <1> double bond. Novel intermediates are compounds of the formula wherein: Q is absent or is where R<4> is methyl, C1-8 straight or branched chain alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or combinations thereof; and R<1><4> is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 straight or branched chain alkoxy, halo, nitro or cyano.