abstract |
Novel compounds are of the formula Y?1Y2N-(CH¿2)4-CH=C(Ph)-X wherein Y?1 and Y2¿ are independently H or a removable blocking group, or Y?1 and Y2¿ 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 COOCH3. |