Formic Acid → 1,2-Dodecanediol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

168.3 g (1.0 mol) of 1-dodecene and 73.6 g (1.6 mol) of formic acid were mixed. This mixture was heated to 100° C. and then 115.7 g (1.7 mol) of 50% strength hydrogen peroxide solution were added dropwise over a period of 2 hours. The mixture was then stirred at 100° C. for 45 min. 64.1 g (2 mol) of methanol and 0.1 g of concentrated sulfuric acid were added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 30 min and then the methyl formate, methanol and water were removed by distillation under atmospheric pressure. A >99% pure main fraction was isolated after the subsequent workup by distillation. The freshly distilled target product had an unpleasant, pungent odor.

Provenance & Evidence