
Synthesis of 3,4-methylenedioxy-beta-phenethylamine through 
catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding nitrostyrene.

"General procedure for the catalytic hydrogenation. As a typical example, 
the preparation of 3,4-methylenedioxy-beta-phenethylamine is described. 
In a 30-mL side-arm flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar were placed 
3,4-methylenedioxy-beta-nitrostyrene (0.500 g, 2.59 mmol), 5% palladium on 
charcoal (K-type)(0.533g, Pd 0.26 mmol), 12 M hydrochloric acid (0.5 mL), and 
ethanol (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 deg C for 3 h under a 
hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm). The catalyst was removed by filtration through 
celite and the solution washed with CH2Cl2 (3x20 mL). The aqueous layer was 
neutralized with aqueous ammonia solution (28%, 5 mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2 
(4x20 mL). The combined organic layers was dried over Na2SO4. Evaporation of 
the solvent gave 0.303 g of product, or 71%." The yield for mescaline was 65%.

-drone #342 



