| abstract |
PURPOSE: To provide the subject compound useful as an intermediate for perfumes, agricultural chemical, drugs, etc., in a high purity and in a high yield under a mild condition by reacting a phenolic compound with methylbromide in the presence of an acid-receiving agent in an aqueous medium. n CONSTITUTION: A compound of formula I (R is H, lower alkyl, OH, aryl, acyl, NO 2 , halogen, etc.; n is 1-3) is reacted with methyl bromide in the presence of an acid-receiving agent (e.g. NaOH) in an aqueous medium at 80-100°C to provide a compound of formula II. The reaction performed under a stream of nitrogen gas prevents the coloration of the product and the employment of an interphase-transferring catalyst permits to provide the objective compound in a high purity and in a high yield. The interphase-transferring catalyst includes quaternary ammonium salts and crown ether type catalysts. n COPYRIGHT: (C)1990,JPO&Japio |