Abstract The rearrangement of benzyl phenolic ether in the presence of an acid or AlCl3 is utilized to produce biphenyl methane compounds in very good yields. The synthesis of muscarine receptor antagonist tolterodine is described.
A novel process for the preparation of tolterodine, i.e. (R)-N,N-diisopropyl-3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-phenylpropanamine, in the racemic form, as well as intermediates useful for its preparation.