Catechol → 2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranol

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Reaction Steps

The starting material 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranol is prepared from catechol and 3-chloro-2-methylpropene as described by Neth. No. 6,500,340. The material (16.4 g) is added to 125 ml of water and contacted with 8 ml of 50% NaOH. After stirring one-half hour, 16.4 g of dimethylsulfate is added and the resulting suspension is stirred and heated at 60° for 2 hours. The resulting mixture is extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual oil is distilled to afford 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-methoxybenzofuran.

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