Sulfuric Acid → 4-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

Participants

Reaction Steps

530 mg of α-[[(4-methylbenzyl)amino]methyl]-3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol was dissolved in 4 ml of trifluoroacetic acid, and after adding thereto 0.12 ml of conc. sulfuric acid under ice cooling, the mixture was allowed to react for 30 minutes. The reaction solution was concentrated, and subjected to azeotropic distillation with toluene 2 times. After adding chloroform, the mixture was basified by addition of 28% aqueous ammonia. By a separating procedure, the chlorofrom layer was collected, was washed with water once, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate-n-hexane, giving 490 mg of 4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (melting point: 94°-96° C.).

Provenance & Evidence