A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PHARMACOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ALPHA-ASARONE FROM TOXIC BETA-ASARONE RICH ACORUS CALAMUS OIL

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of high purity and yield alpha -asarone, trans 2,4,5-trimethoxy cinnamaldehyde, 2,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl propionone, from beta -asarone or beta -asarone rich Acorus calamus oil containing alpha and gamma -asarone by hydrogenating, followed by treatment with DDQ with or without solid support of silica gel or alumina in dry organic solvent and alpha -asarone can also be obtained by treating the hydrogenated product of beta -asarone or beta -asarone rich Acorus calamus with DDQ in an aqueous organic solvent to obtain an intermediate 2,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl propionone, which in turn is reduced with sodiumborohydride to obtain the corresponding 2,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl propanol and followed by final treatment with a dehydrating agent.