4-Methoxy-2-ethyl phenol prepn. - from a methoxy ethyl halide, magnesium, 4:bromo phenol ether and acid

摘要

4-Methoxy-2-ethyl phenol of formula (I) is prepared from a 2-methoxy ethyl halide of formula CH3OCH2CH2X (II) (where X is Cl, Br or I). (II) is treated with Mg to form the corresp, halide. This is treated with a bromophenol ether of formula (III) (where R is a group that is easily removed below 70 deg.C by acid) to give 4-(2-methoxy ethyl)phenol ether offormula (IV) which is treated with an acid to give (I). The reaction in which R is a tetrahydropyranyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, and alpha methyl or ethyl ethoxymethyl group is partic. pref. (I) is an intermediate for the prepn. of the cardiovascular agent metoprolol.