Methyl iodide → trans-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-methoxy-1-naphthyl)acetamide

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of racemic N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-oxo-1-naphthyl)acetamide (3.9 g) and 150 ml. tetrahydrofuran (THF) is stirred and 17 ml. of methyl iodide and 24.4 g. of freshly prepared silver oxide are added over a 4-hour period, under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 16 hours, an additional 10 ml. of methyl iodide and 11.4 g. of silver oxide are added over a 4-hour period and stirring is continued for 2 days. The mixture is filtered through a layer of celite and the filter cake washed with THF (2 × 75 ml.). The filtrate and wash solution are combined and evaporated to dryness in vacuo to afford 4.3 g. of solid. The solid is recrystallized from hexane/ether to afford 2.4 g. of title compound, melting point 97°-100° C.

Provenance & Evidence