4-allylpyrocatechol is readily obtained from precursors such as eugenol or methyl eugenol – two natural products predominately extracted from the essential oils of Syzygium aromaticum flower buds (commonly known as clove buds) by hydrodistillation.
8.00 g EugTES (21 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of THF and purged with N2 for 45 minutes. The solution was then transferred, under N2, to a reaction vessel containing HCl solution, and mixed rapidly. The reaction proceeded quickly and completion was confirmed via thin layer chromatography. The organic layer was extracted into CH2Cl2 and then washed with H2O, followed by drying and filtration. The solvent was removed via vacuum to recover the pure product as a white solid (Yield, 54%).
Synthesis of 4-allylpyrocatechol (EugOH) from methyl eugenol.