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Synthesis 1992; 1992(12): 1229-1231
DOI: 10.1055/s-1992-26345
short paper
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A Convenient Synthesis of 1-Aryl-2-propanone Precursors of α-Methyldopa

Zhong-wei An* , Rino D'Aloisio, Carlo Venturello
  • *Istituto Guido Donegani, Via Fauser 4, I-28100 Novara, Italy
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Publication Date:
29 April 2002 (online)

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A simple two-step approach to 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)- and 1-[3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenyl]-2-propanone (4a and 4b), useful intermediates for α-methyldopa, is described. It is based on the epoxidation of the widely available methyleugenol (1-allyl-3,4-dimethoxybenzene, 1a) and safrole [1-allyI-3,4-(methylenedioxy)benzene, 1b] with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by tungsten peroxo complex 2a under two-phase conditions, followed by isomerization of the intermediate epoxides 3a and 3b by lithium iodide.