Any reasons this shouldn't work?:
Piperonal is brominated with Br2 in acetic acid (maybe MeOH instead), giving 2-bromo-4,5-methylenedioxybenzaldehyde. The bromo compound is then refluxed with NaOMe/CuBr giving the desired aldehyde.
The methylenedioxy bridge should be fine, right? Shulgin uses alkoxides for his beta-alkoxy additions with sodium methoxide/ethoxide. Think he beta-methoxylates 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine, because he didn't synthesize any amphetamines.
The aldehyde group should also be fine right?
Exhaustive Ranting...
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Of course the aldehyde is for MMDA-2, but if this works, EMDA-2 would also be very easy to synth (shulgin states intense eyes-closed visuals at 185mg).
Any thoughts on how the 4-carbon amino compound(s), alpha-ethyls, would taste? Considering that MMDA-2 is relatively high in activity (compared to MDA) and more potent than its 3,4,5 sister, MMDA, it would seem to be a logical choice. SWIM has heard that extending the chain to a 4-Carbon eliminates ALL psychedelic properties the shorter chain compounds might have had, so it wouldn't facilitate a hallucinogenic state. The N-alkyl compounds would probably be pretty weak. Anyways, one might name these 2-methoxy-J, and 2-methoxy-(M)ethyl-J. Could be interesting.
How about the beta-alkoxylated compound? A beta -OCH3 would probably give an active compound, but maybe not pleasant(toxic?). Or how about a methyl group at the alpha position to give the amphetamine derivatives. How would synthesis go for that? Condense with nitroethane, then sodium alkoxide?? Would beta attack occur if the alpha position was occupied? Shulgin didn't synthesize one of these, so it's probably not that simple.
Of course he does mention beta additions with alkylthiols. If one had a sodium mercaptide, i.e. methylthiolate, it might work. Have any ever been synthesized?? They might be incredibily potent compounds, especially if the right nitrostyrene was chosen. How about a beta halogen addition? Would bromine attack the nitrostyrene at the beta position? ... This might deserve a thread of its own, as SWIM thinks beta-substitution is all that's left to do with these compounds.
So many choices, so little information as to pharmacology. It's a pity.
Any ideas for the aldehyde synth are welcome.