Benzaldehyde → Styrene Oxide

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To the sulphonium salt mixture was added benzaldehyde (13.52 g at 98%, 0.125 moles), toluene (92 g, 1 mole), and n-propanol (35.5 g, 0.59 moles) and the mixture stirred and heated to 50° C. Aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (32 g at 53%, 0.425 moles) was added and a temperature rise to 80° C. was observed (due to neutralisation of excess acid). The mixture was cooled to 70° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 hour. The mixture was cooled, the organic layer separated, washed with water and dried over magnesium sulphate. Qualitative GC analysis showed 76% conversion to the title epoxide (by comparison with authentic sample).

Provenance & Evidence