IN Rxn 14 i the publication
4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, a primary alcohol, is oxidised to 4-anisealdehyde in a 95% yeild with 45mins of rxn time employing a mix of permanganate and alumina. Is it reasonable to assume that ephedrine would be oxidised in a similar manner with possibly higher yeilds since the yeild loss with the 4-anisealdehyde was probably due in part but the cleavage of the Methoxy on the ring which ephedrine doesnt have. the 45 min rxn time also is appealing since Meth cat free base is supposed to have the tendancy to dimmerise apoun standing.
Has any one ever tried to reductivly aminate methcat
(C6H6)CH-NH2-CH-NH2-CH3?
?