3-Methylcatechol → 4-Methyl-1,3-benzodioxole

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 11.00 g of 3-methylcatechol and 7.09 g of sodium hydroxide in 10 mL of dry dimethylsulfoxide is added 6.34 mL of dichloromethane. A reflux condenser is attached and the mixture heated in an oil bath to 120° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and then is distributed between 50 mL of water and 200 mL of chloroform. The chloroform layer is dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield a red liquid, which is purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford 3.0 g of 4-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole as a light yellow liquid.

Provenance & Evidence