Synthesis of Erythrinadienone by Phenol Oxidation of Bisphenethylamine (Studies on the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds. CDXLV)

Abstract

Phenolic oxidative coupling of N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethyl)-3-hydroxy-2, 4-dimethoxyphenethylamine (III) with alkaline potassium ferricyanide in two-phase system (water-chloroform) was investigated. Cyclization of III proceeded preferentially to give the erythrinadienone (IV).