I have UTFSE until I'm BITF, but I clearly recall seeing some discussion re: cross-aldol condensation using mek+benzaldehyde to get ppa, or something very similiar to that reaction. Please help! am I delusional?
You are probably confusing
Post 428632 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=11523.msg42863200#msg42863200)
(Rhodium: "Piperonal + MEK -> Isosafrole?", Novel Discourse) with another post, possibly
Post 438325 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=9020.msg43832500#msg43832500)
(Rhodium: "Norpseudoephedrine synthesis & optical resolution", Methods Discourse).
I think you are thinking of this little gem by Twodogs:
Post 245942 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=12139.msg24594200#msg24594200)
(twodogs: "New method for P2P", Novel Discourse) P2P, aldol, MEK, benzaldehyde ect. ;)
Nice aint it?
b
Found the benzylaldehyde + alanine=PPA, seems simple with the exception of removing the benzylamine byproduct from the final product - What do bees think about P2P by taking the crude PPA with benzylamine , covering with toluene, hydrolyzing with H2S04/ZnCl,separating, and evapping the toluene? Will the benzylamine hydrolyze into anything that will be taken up in the toluene? Is this a reasonable route to P2P?
Have you seen this ? Post your latest tests results- etc.
(if you would that is)