A six-step synthesis of the antidepressant rolipram from the popular analgetic 4-acetamidophenol
(paracetamol) is described. The steps include oxidative functionalization of the aromatic
core, diazonium salt formation via deacetylation-diazotation, Matsuda–Heck reaction,
conjugate addition of nitromethane, and hydrogenative cyclization.
Key words
acetanilides - deacetylation - diazonium salts - palladium - Matsuda–Heck reaction