Piperonal (3, 4-(methy1enedioxy) benzaldehyde)(l), an important fragrance used as a soap additive and a synthetic precursor of Dopa, has been industrially prepared by ozonolysis' or chromic acid oxidation2 of isosafrole 2. Because of the environmental pollution associated with chromium species and the requirement of a large quantity of electricity and a carefully controlled reaction temperature (&5" C) for ozonolysis, these demerits have prompted us ...
