Reaction #939033

Reaction equation

hydrochloric acid

Benzoin methyl ether

paraformaldehyde

Potassium hydroxide

→

α-methylol benzoin methyl ether

Solvents

water

dimethyl sulfoxide

ethanol

Conditions

Workup

1. 1
   Otherto obtain a solution
2. 2
   workup.ADDITIONwas added
3. 3
   Otherreacted at 40° C. for 3 hours under nitrogen current
4. 4
   ExtractionThe solution was extracted by ethyl acetate
5. 5
   Washthe extracted liquid was washed with saturated salt water three times
6. 6
   OtherThe washed product was dried
7. 7
   Concentrationconcentrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate
8. 8
   Otherrecrystallized by diethyl ether

Procedure

Potassium hydroxide 0.4 g was dissolved in ethanol 5 mL and dimethyl sulfoxide 200 mL was further added to obtain a solution. Benzoin methyl ether 30 g (0.13 mol) was dissolved in the solution and paraformaldehyde 5 g (0.16 mol) was added and reacted at 40° C. for 3 hours under nitrogen current. After that, the reaction product was cooled to a room temperature and neutralized with a dilute hydrochloric acid and then saturated salt water 120 mL was added. The solution was extracted by ethyl acetate and the extracted liquid was washed with saturated salt water three times. The washed product was dried and concentrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate and recrystallized by diethyl ether. α-methylol benzoin methyl ether (MBME) was obtained in such a manner.

Source