Cetyl Alcohol → Hexadecyl methanesulfonate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Under an inert atmosphere, e.g., nitrogen, a reactor was charged with 1-hexadecanol 3 (3.78 kg), anhydrous dichloromethane (40 L) and diisopropylethylamine (2.21 kg). The reaction mixture was cooled to −5 to 5° C. and methanesulfonyl chloride (1.87 kg) was added at a controlled rate over 2 hours to ensure that the reaction temperature was kept below 5° C. After the addition was complete, the mixture was warmed to 20 to 30° C. and stirred for one to two hours. The reaction was monitored by GC-MS and was deemed complete when the conversion rate was ≧95%. The reaction was maintained at 20 to 30° C. while being diluted with water (15 L). The organic layer was separated, washed with water (0.50 kg), and concentrated to dryness to yield 4 as a light yellow solid (4.87 kg, 96%). Typical HPLC (AUC) purity was >95%. 1H-NMR was consistent with structure.

Provenance & Evidence