Chemoselective and efficient carbomethoxylation of the alcoholic chain of phenols by dimethyl carbonate (DMC)

A simple and efficient procedure for the chemoselective carbomethoxylation of the aliphatic alcoholic group in phenolic compounds have been described using dimethyl carbonate (DMC), an environmental friendly chemical in the presence of DBU or sulfuric acid. Reactions proceeded in quantitative yields. A new hydroxtyrosol derivative, which showed an antioxidant activity similar to the hydroxytyrosol has been synthesized.