4-Ethylanisole

p-Methoxystyrene (0.2 mmol) and the diimine of 2,6-diisopropylbenzene (8 mg, 0.02 mmol) were reacted at room temperature for 24 h. The product was separated by silica gel column chromatography, eluted with petroleum ether, to give a colorless oily product, 4-ethylanisole, in 87% yield.

clear colorless liquid

It can be used the synthesis of 1-Methoxy-4-ethyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene. It is also applied in the ligand-assisted, copper-catalyzed enantioselective benzylic amination.

Synthetic Communications, 26, p. 1467, 1996 DOI: 10.1080/00397919608003512