First Synthesis of 1,4-Dimethoxy-2-Naphthoxyacetic acid

Abstract

2-Acetyl-1-hydroxynaphthalene was converted into 1,4-dimethoxy-2-naphthoxyacetic acid in seven steps (methylation, Bayer-Villiger oxidation, hydrolysis, bromination, methylation, alkylation and hydrolysis). 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone on acetylation, aromatization, methylation and hydrolysis, respectively, also yielded the title compound.