M-Cresol → 1-(3-methylphenoxy)propan-2-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of chloroacetone (43.75 g.) and finely-powdered potassium iodide (1 g.) in ethyl methyl ketone (50 ml.) was added dropwise, over 25 minutes, to a stirred, refluxing mixture of 3-methylphenol (54 g.) and dry potassium carbonate (82 g.) in ethyl methyl ketone (100 ml). Stirring and refluxing were continued for a total of 5 hours and the mixture was cooled, poured into water (cs. 500 ml.) and extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed exhaustively with 5N-sodium hydroxide, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was distilled to give a fraction b.p. 126°-134°/13 mm. Redistillation gave 1-(3-methylphenoxy)-propan-2-one, b.p. 124°-126°/13 mm.

Provenance & Evidence