Endura Spa

Dario Brancaleoni

Valerio Borzatta

Goffredo Rosini

Christian Battistini

Lucilla D'Adamo

Synthesis process of 5-benzyl-3-furfuryl alcohol including the reduction reaction with NaBHor with sodium dihydro bis-(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminium hydride of 3-benzyl-5-hydroxymethyl-5-carboxyalkyl isoxazoline to give 3-benzyl-5,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)isoxazoline which, through subsequent reduction in the presence of a weak protic acid and consequent rearrangement with strong aqueous acid, gives 5-benzyl-3-furfuryl alcohol.

Process for the production of 5-benzyl-3-furfuryl alcohol

The present invention regards a three-step process for the synthesis of 5-(&agr;-hydroxyalkyl) benzo&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dioxols. The process comprises: (i) the reaction of pyrocatechin (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) with a dihalo or di-alkoxyalkane, with the formation of a benzo&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dioxol derivative; (ii) 5-selective catalytic acylation of the benzo&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dioxol, with formation of a 5-alkanoylbenzo&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dioxol and its subsequent (iii) reduction to 5-(&agr;-hydroxyalkyl) benzo&lsqb;1,3&rsqb;dioxol. Also described are new benzodioxols obtainable using the above-mentioned process. The process of the invention is industrially simple and has low environmental impact; it allows to obtain in high yields derivatives of considerable interest, in particular for the perfumery industry, and in the sector of insecticides.

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Sasso Marconi, Italy

Dario Brancaleoni