Formaldehyde → 2-BENZYL-PROPENAL

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A four-necked 500-ml flask equipped with a thermometer and condenser was charged with 134 g (1.0 mol) of 3-phenylpropionaldehyde, 85 g (1.05 mol) of a 37% aqueous formalin solution and 6 g (0.02 mol) of stearic acid, followed by the dropwise addition of 9 g (0.07 mol) of dibutylamine at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere over 10 minutes. After the temperature was increased to 90° C., stirring was conducted at the same temperature for 30 minutes. After cooling, 200 ml of water were added to the reaction mixture. The resulting mixture was then extracted with 200 ml of hexane, followed by washing with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was dried and concentrated, whereby 161 g of a crude product were obtained. The crude product was distilled (3.5 mmHg, 80° C.), whereby 110 g (yield: 75%) of 2-benzylacrylaldehyde were obtained.

Provenance & Evidence