[iamabeginner]

So on its wikipedia page it mentions using p-anisoyl chloride, 2-pyrrolidone, and triethylamine. Now, is TEA a catalyst here? Can NaOH be substituted for it?

Basically, what a some more details to its synthesis. Is HCl generated? Can the TEA be distilled out once the reaction completes? Help me here, please.

[Arkcon]

Generally, no, you can't substitute an strong mineral base for a weak organic base in an organic synthesis.  If you have a few organic chemistry classes, you might know some reasons why.  Can you suggest some?  The Forum Rules (in RED at the top of every page) specify this -- this forum is to help students learn topics.  This isn't a kiddie drug synthesis forum.  That's also in the rules, we don't give hints towards self medication in this forum, even for still-legal-in-some-places-totally-not-a-party-drug-plz-help topics.