Abstract: Epoxidation of anethole with H₂O₂ could have 91% yield of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyloxirane. The effects of the ratio of CH₃CN/CH₃OH, molar ratio of anethole and H₂O₂ , dosage of catalyst, reaction temperature and reaction time on the yield were investigated. The results showed that the volume of CH₃CN/CH₃OH was 1:5, the molar ratio of anethole and H₂O₂ was 1:2.5, the molar ratio of anethole and anhydrous sodium carbonate was 1:0.8, reaction temperature was room temperature and reaction time was 27h. Then, reduction of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyloxirane with lithium aluminum hydride was used to obtain 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanol. By single factor experiment, the results showed that the optimized conditions were as follows: ether as the best solvent, molar ratio of raw material to reducing agent was 1:1.5, reaction temperature at room temperature and reaction time 1h. The structures of the two compounds were characterized by GC-MS and IR.

Key words: anethole, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyloxirane, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanol, lithium aluminum hydride