1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone is a derivative of Guaiacol, a precursor to various flavorants, such as eugenol and vanillin.
Preparation by Fries rearrangement of 2-methoxyphenyl propionate, (b.p.20 140–143°)
with aluminium chloride in nitrobenzene, first at 60–80° for 1 h, then at r.t. overnight, at 60° for 1 h or at 50° for 5 h (44%) ;
with aluminium chloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (65%)
with aluminium chloride in carbon disulfide
with titanium tetrachloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (62%)
with stannic chloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (69%)
with antimony pentachloride (2 mol) in nitromethane at r.t. for 24 h (28%) with formation of important tars.
