An alternative method for the synthesis of the 8-methyl-1-tetralone from the commercially available 5-methoxy-1-tetralone has been developed. The transformation involves eight steps and affords an overall yield 25%.
Keywords: 5-methoxy-1-tetralone; 8-methyl-1-tetralone; bromination; cyanation; hydrogenolysis; methylation; platyphyllide.