tert-Butanol → 4-tert-Butyl-3-chlorophenol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 50 g (0.39 mol) of 3-chlorophenol in 250 ml of hexane and 125 ml of 85% phosphoric acid was heated to reflux. A solution of 43.2 g (0.584 mol) of 2-methyl-2-propanol in 25 ml of hexane was added over 1.5 hours. After addition, the reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 hours. The organic phase was separated and extracted four times with 30 ml of lN sodium hydroxide solution. The combined aqueous fractions were made acidic and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase was dried and evaporated at 90° C. (25 mm). The residue was crystallized from hexane. There was obtained 0.46 g (2.49 mmol, 0.6%) of 3-chloro-4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol as a white solid after crystallization from hexane; mp 65°-67° C.

Provenance & Evidence