The methylation of phenols is commonly performed in order to preserve the alcohol group(s) from interfering with subsequent reactions.  This protection can be done in numerous manners, one of which is the use of N,N-dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA).  This however typically requires lengthy reflux (i.e. 24hrs).  This project examines the use of microwave to accelerate the rate of reaction.  This new process methylates in thirty minutes to one hour using a laboratory microwave and is affected by the presence of electron donating and withdrawing substituents attached to the ring.  A library of protected methylated phenols were obtained and purified with moderate to good yields via this microwave assisted protocol.

Microwave assisted methylation of phenols with DMF-DMA

241st National Meeting (2011)

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