Water → 2-Cyclohexyloxirane

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Sodium hydride (4.5 g, 187.5 mmol) and trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (41.25 g, 187.5 mmol) were combined in a 3-neck flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and an addition funnel. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added slowly over a 30 min period, until 200 mL had been added. Gas was evolved throuqhout the addition. A solution of cyclohexane carboxaldehyde (21.8 mL, 180 mmol) in 50 mL of DMSO was added dropwise to the reaction mixture over a 15 min period. The reaction mixture was heated to 55° C. and stirred at 55° C. for 30 min. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and poured into 500 mL of water. The aqueous solution was extracted with 3×100 mL of diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was distilled (44° C., 0.1 mm) to give 14 g (62% yield) of 1-cyclohexyl ethylene oxide as a clear colorless liquid.

Provenance & Evidence