A New Synthesis of 1-n-Alkyl-3,5-dimethoxybenzenes (Olivetol Dimethyl Ether and Homologs

An efficient method is reported for the synthesis of 1-n-alkyl-3,5-dimethoxybenzenes, useful intermediates in the synthesis of cannabinoids, form the readily available and cheap 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid. The key step in the electron-transfer induced highly regioselective demethoxylation of 1-n-alkyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzenes