Synthesis of Some Substituted Homophthalic Acids

6-Methoxy-3-methyl- and 4,5-dimethoxy-homophthalic acids have been prepared in good yields from 3-mothoxy-6-methylbonzoic acid and veratric acid, respectively, it three simple stages.

The constitutions of the homophthalic acids, reported by Meldrum and Kepadia as 4-hydroxyl-5-methyl­(m.p. 209^°) and 6-hydroxy-5-methyl-homophthalic acids (m.p. 212-13°), have been revised end, the constitu­tions of 4-methoxy-5-methyl- (m..p. 209º) and 4-hydroxy -5-methyl-homophthalic acid (m.p. 212-13°), respectively, have been assigned. to them.