| abstract |
Process for the synthesis of the N-methyl-3, 4-dimetoxyphenylethylamine of formula (see fig. I) I intermediate in the synthesis of the drug internationally known as verapamil. The process starts from the 3, 4-dimethoxybenzaledhyde which, by means of a Darzens condensation, gives an epoxyester that, by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent decarboxylation, gives the 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetaldehyde. This aldehyde gives the amine of formula I by reaction with monomethylamine followed by reduction with sodium borohydride. |