1,4-Dioxane → 5-Hydroxy-4-([3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl]methyl)-2(5H)-furanone

Participants

Reaction Steps

2.5 g (0.027 mol) of glyoxylic acid hydrate, 3.2 g (0.027 mol) of piperidine hydrochloride, and 30 mL of dioxane were mixed with stirring, whereupon water was added in dropwise fashion until a homogeneous solution resulted. 3-(3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl)propionaldehyde (4.8 g, 0.027 mol) was then introduced and the solution allowed to stir at room temperature for 1 hour, then heated at reflux for 48 hours. At the end of this time the solution was concentrated, diluted with water, and extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL). The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO4) then concentrated to afford an oil. The crude oil was chromatographed over silica gel (150 g). Elution with 50% EtOAc-hexane afforded 1.8 g, 28% of the desired product as a light yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence