Acetone → 2-Methyl-1-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propan-2-ol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-trifluoromethylbenzyl chloride (25.0g; 0.128 mole) in ether (130 ml) was added dropwise during 50 minutes to magnesium (3.11 g; 0.128 mole) in a three-necked dry flask equipped with stirrer and reflux condenser. The spontaneous reflux was allowed to continue for another half an hour. The solution was cooled and acetone (7.45; 0.128 mole) was added dropwise (8 minutes) and the solution heated to reflux for three hours. After cooling the reaction mixture was poured out on ice (100 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (11 ml). The phases were separated. The organic phase was washed with water, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated in vacuum. The residual oil was fractioned affording 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-methyl-2-propanol. (B.p. 63°-64° C/1.0 mm Hg, M.p. 55°-56° C recryst. from petroleum ether.) Yield: 73%; 20.3 g.

Provenance & Evidence