Abstract
Methyl phenyl ethylene glycol, m.p. 92-93°, was obtained in a good yield by the catalytic reduction of methyl. phenyl diketone in alcoholic solution at ordinary temperature and pressure, using platinum oxide as a catalyst. The same glycol is obtained as a by-product during formation of ephedrine from methyl phenyl diketone and methylamine by their catalytic reduction with platinum oxide catalyst. The treatment of this glycol with sulfuric acid results in pinacolin rearrangement to give phenylacetone in a good yield.
