1,1,2,2‐Tetrakis(4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl)ethane has been prepared by the condensation of 2,6‐dimethylphenol with glyoxal. The tetraacetate has been isolated, after acetylation, from the product of the reaction between 2,6‐dimethylphenol and α,β‐dichlorovinyl phenyl ether and the tetramethyl ether has been obtained directly from 2,6‐dimethylanisole and glyoxal sulfate.
Benzil and 2,6‐dimethylphenol can be condensed to give benzoyl‐4,4′‐dihydroxy‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyltritane and there is evidence that the dimethyl ether of this compound is formed when 4‐methoxy‐3,5‐dimethylbenzophenone is reduced with zinc dust in acetic acid.