Tetrahydrothiophene → Aniline

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a vigorously stirred solution of 10.0 grams (0.11 mole) of aniline in 200 ml. of methylene chloride cooled to -78° C. under nitrogen were added by means of a jacketed constant pressure additional funnel 11.7 grams (0.11 mole) of tert.-butyl hypochlorite also cooled to -78° C. This solution was stirred for 10 minutes. The funnel was rinsed with a few ml. of cold methylene chloride and 44 ml. (ca. 5 equivalents) of tetrahydrothiophene was cooled to -78° C., added dropwise to the reaction mixture, and stirred for 3 hours. In 50 ml. of methanol, 7.0 grams (0.13 mole, 1.2 equivalents) of sodium methoxide were placed in the funnel, cooled, and added quickly to the reaction mixture. The dry-ice/acetone cooling bath was removed and the solution stirred for 2 hours. The reaction was quenched by the addition of 100 ml. of water, the heterogeneous mixture separated, the aqueous layer was extracted two times with 100-ml. portions of methylene chloride. The combined organic layers were washed with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo to produce a dark red oil. Fractional distillation of the oil gave 5.03 grams (0.054 mole) of aniline and 6.11 grams (0.034 mole) of 2-(2-tetrahydrothienyl)aniline for a 31% yield based on starting material and a 64% yield based on unrecovered starting material: b.p. 130°-134° C. (0.19 mm), ND26.8 1.6258, IR (neat) 2.92, 3.36, 6.12, 6.70, and 13.40μ, NMR (CCl4)T 7.82 (4H, m), 6.99 (2H, m) 6.06 (2H, s), 5.52 (2H, t), 3.20 (4H, m).

Provenance & Evidence