Propylene Carbonate → 2-Oxazolidinone, 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

5.1 mol of propylene carbonate were provided as an initial charge at 23° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. 5 mol of diethanolamine were added over 30 to 120 minutes with stirring, and the temperature of the reaction mixture rose. On completion of the addition the mixture was heated to 100° C. in the course of 10 to 120 minutes. At 100° C., 2.5 mol % of NaOH in solid form were added, and the batch was left to stir at 100° C. for 2 hours. Then a 10 to 20 mbar vacuum was applied, the temperature was raised from 100° C. to 160° C. and propylene glycol was distilled off. The N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-oxazolidin-2-one obtained almost quantitatively as undistilled bottom product comprised 96-98% by weight of product of value and had a Hazen color number in the range from 0 to 25.

Provenance & Evidence