Methanol → 4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1-naphthol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

4.9 g of concentrated sulfuric acid were added dropwise to a stirred mixture of 4.75 g (27.6 mmole) of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2.71 g (41.4 mmole) of zinc powder, 15 mL of methanol and 15 mL of toluene, in an ice bath. After the addition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred for 4.5 hours at 60° C. The reaction product was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water then brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, then evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 4.25 gm (81% yield) of the title compound as an off-white powder having a melting point of 102-103° C. and an 1HNMR as follows: (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 2.38 (s, 3H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 6.76 (s, 1H), 7.42(m, 2H), 8.04 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz), 8.50(bs, 1H). The mass spectrum showed a molecular ion at m/z 188.

Provenance & Evidence