Diethyl Ether → 1,2,4-Benzenetriol

Participants

Reaction Steps

Eighty grams of the crude 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene were dissolved in 200 ml of methanol containing 6 g of concentrated sulfuric acid. The reaction mixture was boiled under reflux for one hour. Then the solution was cooled to room temperature and neutralized with an equivalent amount of fine powdered sodium carbonate. Thereafter 800 ml of ethylether was added whereupon sodium sulfate precipitated out, which was removed by filtration. Reaction by-products and contaminants being responsible for a dark red coloration may be removed employing solid silica gel. After evaporation of the supernatant under reduced pressure, a dark red oil is obtained which crystallized upon standing at 40° C. in the form of a slight reddish solid mass which is pure enough for the next step. This product is 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene.

Provenance & Evidence