Maleic Anhydride → 3a,4,7,7a-Tetrahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione

Participants

Reaction Steps

Maleic anhydride (50 g) and furan (150 ml) were heated under reflux for 1 hour, and then the excess of furan was distilled off. The residue was recrystallised from chloroform, yielding 72 g of 7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-ene-5,6-dicarboxylic acid anhydride (m.pt. 110° C., decomp.). This anhydride (40 g) and 30.75 g of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate were heated in 250 ml of toluene at 100° C. for 3 hours, and then the toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure, leaving the desired compound as a viscous liquid.

Provenance & Evidence