Synthesis of The 3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl Derivative Of Amphetamine V. Valenta and M. Protiva Collection Czechoslov. Chem. Commun. Vol. 42, 1977, pp. 2240-5.
Abstract: p-Toluic acid was converted in seven steps to (3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)acetonitrile which underwent Claisen's reaction with ethyl acetate and subsequent acid hydrolysis to yield the phenylacetone derivative. Leuckart's reaction and alkaline hydrolysis of the product gave rise to 3-methoxy-4-methylamphetamine which was demethylated with hydrobromic acid to the title compound.