4'-Hydroxy-3'-methoxypropiophenone

The Uses of 4'-Hydroxy-3'-methoxypropiophenone

1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone is a derivative of Guaiacol, a precursor to various flavorants, such as eugenol and vanillin.

Preparation

Preparation by Fries rearrangement of 2-methoxyphenyl propionate, (b.p.20 140–143°)
with aluminium chloride in nitrobenzene, first at 60–80° for 1 h, then at r.t. overnight, at 60° for 1 h or at 50° for 5 h (44%) ;
with aluminium chloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (65%)
with aluminium chloride in carbon disulfide
with titanium tetrachloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (62%)
with stannic chloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (69%)
with antimony pentachloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (28%) with formation of important tars.

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 15, p. 227, 1950 DOI: 10.1021/jo01148a001