I'm curious if the following hypothetical synthesis would work. If so, then it will probably be SWIM's next project after he gets done making mescaline.
(1) Isomerize eugenol with a base to form isoeugenol. (I understand that eugenol doesn't isomerize easily, so it might be easier to do this after the methylation.)
(2) Methylate to form O-methyl isoeugenol.
(3) Run a performic epoxidisation, then add dilute H2SO4 to form 3,4 dimethoxy P2P
(4) Brominate or iodinate to get 2-halo 4,5-dimethoxy P2P
(5) methoxylate with an alkali methoxide or hydoxylate, then methylate to form 2,4,5-trimethoxy P2P.
(6) form the oxime with hydroxylamine, then reduce to yield TMA-2.
I don't know how stable the ketone chain would be under steps 4 and 5. One cannot halogenate methyleugenol directly, since the halogen would also substitute across the double bond, but this synth might sidestep that issue, depending on the stability of the ketone. This avoids the obnoxious sensitivity of asarone, though, and starts from a much cheaper and purer oil (clove or cinnamon leaf).
Thanks for any help/suggestions/reasons why this wouldn't work/flames,
MethyMouse