Hydroquinone → 4-(2,3-Epoxy-1-propoxy)-phenol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To an ice-cooled solution of 55 g. (0.5 mole) of hydroquinone and 46 g. (0.5 mole) of epichlorohydrin in 900 ml. of water was added an ice-cooled solution of 20 g. (0.5 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 900 ml. of water. The mixture was allowed to stand at 0° C. for 3 days. After washing with ether, the solution was added to 72 g. of sodium hydroxide in 4 l. of water and stored at 10° C. for 3 hours. The solution was saturated with ammonium carbonate and extracted with chloroform. After drying (Na2SO4) and concentrating the chloroform, the residual oil was predominantly 4-(2,3-epoxy-1-propoxy)phenol (23%) which was used in later steps without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence