To the solution of 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (502 mg, 1.55 mmol) and 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (460 mg, 1.4 mmol) in acetone (20 mL) was added NaI (465 mg, 3.1 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.1 g, 7.0 mmol). The reaction mixture was then refluxed overnight and concentrated. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography to afford 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-(2-(4-chlorophenoxy)ethyl)piperazine which was suspended in 6 N HClaq. (pH=3). The precipitate was filtered, washed with cold ethanol, and dried to afford the title compound (350 mg, 52%).
