Tetramethylammonium hydroxide → Lipoic acid

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Reaction Steps

In other synthetic schemes the base, tetramethylammonium hydroxide can be substituted for potassium t-butoxide in DMF. The former base though can be stored under air, whilst the latter needs to be kept in an inert atmosphere. The dihydrolipoic acid works best if it totally clear. If the reduction lipoic acid to produce dihydrolipoic acid is not complete, a yellow coloration of the solution will be evident. The yellow solution can be distilled (distills at 140° C. under vacuum) to yield a clear solution of dihydrolipoic acid.

Provenance & Evidence