Toluene → (4S)-4-(propan-2-yl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 9.4 grams (0.091 mole) of (S)-2-amino-3-methyl-1-butanol, 36 grams (0.0546 mole) of 85% potassium hydroxide, 175 mL of toluene, and 240 mL of water was stirred rapidly as 140 mL (0.273 mole) of a toluene solution containing 20% phosgene was added dropwise during a 15 minute period. Upon completion of addition, the resulting hot solution was stirred an additional 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled, and the organic and aqueous layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with water and dried with magnesium sulfate. The mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, yielding 15.0 grams of (S)-4-(1-methylethyl)-2-oxazolidinone as a solid. Recrystallization from cyclohexane yielded purer compound, m.p. 71.5°-72.5° C.

Provenance & Evidence