methyl phenylglyoxalate (3a)(1.6 g, 10 mmol) in THF (25 mL) was added potassium carbonate (2 g, 14 mmol) and Pd/C (5%, 50: 50 water wet, 300 mg). The stirring mixture was heated to reflux, and a solution of sodium hypophosphite (2 g, 18 mmol) in water (20 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight, and the next day, a TLC analysis (70: 20: 10 toluene/CH, Cl,/EtOAc) showed the reaction to be complete. The ...
