Reaction #346374

Reaction equation

cresol

NaOH

2-ethyl-1-hexanol

→

Sodium Cresolate

Solvents

xylene

Conditions

Workup

1. 1
   OtherA five liter flask was equipped with a stirrer
2. 2
   Temperatureheating mantle, Dean-Stark trap and a reflux condenser
3. 3
   TemperatureThe batch was heated
4. 4
   Temperatureto reflux
5. 5
   Otherto collect the water

Procedure

A five liter flask was equipped with a stirrer, thermometer dropping funnel, heating mantle, Dean-Stark trap and a reflux condenser. 329 grams of a 48.6% aqueous solution of NaOH was added to the flask along with 2000 ml of a 4:1 mixture of xylene and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. 433 grams of commercial cresol (99.4% pure) was slowly added. The batch was heated to reflux to collect the water. The product was a solution of sodium cresolate:xylene-2-ethyl-1-hexanol mixture.

Source