were required. Synthesis of isovanillin by various literature methods including the application of a variety of demethylating agents to~ eratraldehyde~ has not been satisfactory. The experiments of Birch4” sb involving the demethylating action of sodium and liquid ammonia on various phenol ethers suggested a possible solution to the problem. Significantly, by this reaction, Birch was able to convert 3, 4-dimethoxytoluene to 4- ...