| abstract |
The subject invention pertains to compounds of the formula Y 1 Y 2 N--(CH 2 ) 4 --CH═C(Ph)--X wherein Y 1 and Y 2 are independently H or a removable blocking group, or Y 1 and Y 2 together are a removable divalent blocking group; and X is COOCH 3 or a group convertible thereto. Such a compound may be cyclised, by Michael addition, to give methylphenidate, if necessary after removing blocking group(s) and converting X to COOCH 3 . The subject invention also pertains to methods for preparing compounds of the invention. |