http://www.chemistry.ccsu.edu/glagovich/teaching/472/qualanal/tests/zinc.html (http://www.chemistry.ccsu.edu/glagovich/teaching/472/qualanal/tests/zinc.html)
In this link they are reducing nitro compounds to hydroxlamines with Zn %50 Etoh in the prescence of ammonium chloride. Is this a standard pratice. It appears that they are using it for some kind of test purposes so swim might conclude that it is a valid method.
R-NO2 + H4 >-----Zn/AmCl--------> R-NH2OH + H20
In the case o 3,4MDP as variable r them would then the product not be MDOH. Which then if desired could be thermaly degraded to MDA.( Not that it Would make a difference)
Said product could be reduced
Check this out, this is from Patent GB990092 (http://l2.espacenet.com/dips/viewer?PN=GB990092&CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD)
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(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/hive/hiveboard/picproxie_docs/000318282-file_xgfu.gif)
Personally for me, this piece of info is very reassuring as to the fact that the NH4OH/Zn/Uru Ni system, described by Rhodium and Zooligan in Post 270027 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=6350.msg27002700#msg27002700)
(Rhodium: "Zn/NiCl2 reduction of oxime/nitro/nitriles/ketone", Chemistry Discourse) holds a great promise for reducing nitropropenes.
Whatever direction the reduction dominantly takes place (two possible ways: via nitroalkane or from nitroalkene to oxime) - that system should work on both, and at the same time the presence of ammonia suppresses side reactions and favors formation of the amines.
Just a thought,
Antoncho