2-Propanone, 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)- → (+-)-3,4-Dimethoxyamphetamine

Participants

Reaction Steps

To 2 g (10.29 mmol) of 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl acetone was added 10 mL of methanol, 7.9 g (102 mmol) of ammonium acetate, 844 mg (10.2 mmol) of sodium acetate and 970 mg (15.4 mmol) of sodium cyanoborohydride. The pH of the reaction was adjusted to between 6-7 by addition of glacial acetic acid. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature 18 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. To the residue 100 mL of water was added, and the pH of the reaction was adjusted to 14 using 6 N NaOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with 6×30 mL of chloroform. Organic layers were combined, dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 2 g (10.24 mmol, 99%) of 3A as a light yellow gum (M+H, 196).

Provenance & Evidence