Catechol → 2-(Propan-2-yl)-2H-1,3-benzodioxole

Participants

Reaction Steps

Catechol (22 g, 0.2 mole) and isobutyraldehyde (16 g, 0.24 mole) were dissolved in benzene (600 ml). A catalytic amount (5 drops) of sulfuric acid was added to the mixture. The mixture was heated under reflux and the water formed in the reaction was removed by use of a Dean-Stark trap. The reaction mixture was washed twice with aqueous sodium carbonate solution and dried. 2-Isopropyl-1,3-benzodioxole (11 g, 0.067 mole) was obtained by vacuum distillation. The 2-isopropyl-1,3-benzodioxole thus obtained boiled at 29-31° C. at 0.25 mm Hg. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the assigned structure.

Provenance & Evidence