| abstract |
A process for the preparation of alkoxyvincamone derivatives of the formula (I> <IMAGE> (wherein R<1> and R<2>, which may be the same or different, each represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) comprising reacting a halovincaminic acid ester of the formula (II> <IMAGE> (wherein R<2> is as defined above R<3> represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and X represents a halogen atom) with an alkali metal alkanoate of the formula R<1>-OMe, (wherein R<1> is as defined above and Me represents an alkali metal atom), in the presence of a catalyst. Compounds of formula I other than (-)-vincinone are also claimed. |