Catechol → 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1,3-benzodioxole

Participants

Reaction Steps

The preparation of the 2-substituted-1,3-benzodioxole starting compounds is known to the art. For example, catechol is subjected to dehydration and the resulting mixture is treated with para-toluenesulfonic acid. Thereafter, dimethoxypropane or another dialkoxyalkane within the ambit of this invention is added to this mixture and the final reaction mix is heated to distill off methanol and drive to reaction to completion. The resulting product is isolated as 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxole. It is also possible to condense catechol with a ketone, using P2O5, directly, employing a dehydrating agent to drive off water and to thereby form the desired dioxole starting product.

Provenance & Evidence