Tolterodine, an important urological drug, can be conveniently prepared starting from 1-[2- hydroxy-5-methyl) phenyl]-1-phenylethylene, accessible in high yield by alumina-promoted ortho alkenylation of p-cresol with phenylacetylene. The hydroformylation of this olefin, catalyzed by rhodium complexes both in homogeneous or in aqueous biphasic system, affords the desired linear aldehyde in about 80-90% yield. The reductive amination of this ...
