Phosphorus tribromide → 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenethyl bromide

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of phosphorus tribromide (8.1 g) in carbon tetrachloride (50 ml) was added dropwise over 30 minutes to a stirred solution of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl alcohol (15.0 g). (see Preparation 19) in carbon tetrachloride (200 ml) and the mixture was heated under reflux for 3 hours, washed sequentially with water (twice), 5M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and water, dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (100 g) using carbon tetrachloride as the eluent. Appropriate fractions were combined and evaporated to give the title compound as a pale yellow oil (8.3 g, 40%), which was characterised by its 1H,-n.m.r. spectrum.

Provenance & Evidence