Hydrogen Bromide → 16-Bromohexadecanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 18 g. of 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid and 160 g. of 30-34% hydrogen bromide in acetic acid is treated with 32 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid and stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The solution is stirred under reflux for 7 hours and then poured into 500 ml. of ice-water and filtered. A methylene chloride solution of the product is Darco clarified, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated. Crystallization of the residue from ether-petroleum ether and then acetonitrile affords 16-bromohexadecanoic acid as a white solid.

Provenance & Evidence