Phosphorus oxide (P4O10) → 5,6-Dimethoxy-1-indanone

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Reaction Steps

Phosphorus pentoxide (500 g, 3.5 mol) is added portionwise to a mechanically stirred solution of 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid (100 g, 0.67 mol) in benzene (2500 ml) and the mixture is refluxed for 8 hr. The reaction is slowly poured into ice-water, and the benzene layer is separated and washed with 10% sodium hydroxide and water, dried and evaporated to give 5,6-dimethoxyindan-1-one (60 g), mp 100° C., described by W. H. Perkin and R. Robinson, J. Chem. Soc., 1073 (1907).

Provenance & Evidence