Mescaline synthesis via tricarbonyl (eta(6)-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene)chromium complex

Treatment of tricarbonyl(eta(6)-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene) complex 1 with ace tonitrile carbanion in THF and then with iodine followed by reduction of th e nitrile function gives mescaline. Deprotonation of complex 1 at the C-5 c arbon with LiTMP followed by chlorination, bromation or iodation gives 5-ch loro, 5-bromo or 5-iodo complexes, useful synthons in organic synthesis for the preparation of 1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-substituted derivatives, precursors of natural products. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.