Fluorobenzene → 2-Methyl-4-phenoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-isoquinolinol (6.0 g, 0.037 mole) in 30 ml dry DMF is added dropwise under nitrogen to a suspension of sodium hydride 50% (98%) (2.2 g, 0.044 mole), previously washed with hexane, in 50 ml dry DMF. After one hour the mixture is slowly warmed to 75° C. at which time fluorobenzene (7.1 g. 0.074 mole) in 30 ml dry DMF is added dropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at 95° C. for four hours then at 75° C. for about 16 hours. Most of the solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the resultant mixture is stirred in 500 ml water then extracted with chloroform. The combined organic extracts are washed twice with water and then dried (saturated NaCl, anhydrous MgSO4). Removal of solvent yields 5.8 g (65%) of an oil which is purified by dry column chromatography over silica gel using ethyl acetate as the eluent. The desired product is extracted with chloroform to yield 1.5 g (17%) of an oil of 2-methyl-4-phenoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline.

Provenance & Evidence