Abstract
Reaction of atomic carbon with isomeric cresols generates methyltropones and xylenols. Methyltropone to xylenol ratio was found to be highest for m-cresol and lowest for p-cresol. Stability of singlet carbenes produced after insertion of atomic carbon into C-H bonds of cresols plays an important role in the observed ratios.
Keywords: Carbon arc, carbene, methyltropone, xylenol