2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol → Dimethoxy di-p-cresol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Bu3MeNMnO4 (10.9 g, 34.1 mmol) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (250 mL) placed in an ice bath and allowed to cool. Then 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (9.95 g, 72.0 mmol) was added dropwise to the CH2Cl2 solution and allowed to react with stirring for 1 h at 0° C. under N2. The reaction mixture was diluted with H2O (˜200 mL) and the mixture stirred for an additional 30 min. The mixture was filtered through a glass-wool plug to remove the MnO2 and the organic layer separated. The organic layer was washed with 0.1 M HCl (3×150 mL), brine (50 mL), and then dried over MgSO4. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure afforded 1 as a yellow powder (5.97 g, 60% yield). Purification of 1 was achieved using column chromatography on silica gel and elution with ethyl acetate/hexanes (1/4, v/v) to afford a 50% overall yield.

Provenance & Evidence