Ammonia → 3,5-Dimethylchlorobenzene

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Reaction Steps

A solution of 3,5-dimethylaniline (36.3 g; 0.3 mole) in glacial acetic acid (200 ml) is treated with methanesulfonic acid (60 g) and the stirred mixture cooled to 0°-5° C. in an ice-salt bath. An ice cold solution of sodium nitrite (21 g in 80 ml H2O) is slowly added over a half hour period and this diazonium solution then added quickly to an ice cold solution of cuprous chloride [from cooper sulphate 5 H2O (125 g), sodium chloride (32.5 g) and sodium sulphate (71 g)] in concentrated hydrochloric acid (160 ml). The mixture becomes very thick and is allowed to warm to room temperature. The stirring is continued overnight and the solution heated to 60° C. for 1/2 hour. Concentrated ammonia is added with cooling until the solution is alkaline and the oil extracted with ether. Distillation of the dried ether extract gives 5-chloro-m-xylene, b.p. 70°-73°/12 mm (25.6 g).

Provenance & Evidence