Hydrogen Bromide → 4,5-Dimethylbenzene-1,2-diol

Participants

Reaction Steps

53 g of 4,5-dimethylveratrol (prepared by the method of Bruce, et al., J. Chem. Soc., 1956, 3824-29) was mixed with 200 ml of 48% hydrobromic acid. The mixture was stirred at reflux temperature, in a nitrogen atmosphere, for 4.5 hours. The crude mixture was heated with 200 ml of toluene. The toluene phase was separated and cooled, to give 4,5-dimethylcatechol (6A), as a solid, mp: 86°-87° C.

Provenance & Evidence