Acetic Acid → 2-Acetoxypropionic Acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

In a distillation reactor at atmospheric pressure, an acid solution formed by combining 30 ml of glacial acetic acid with 0.5 ml concentrated sulfuric acid was maintained at approximately 114° C. A reactant solution was prepared by combining 5.0 ml of an 85% lactic acid solution, by weight (15% water) with 20 ml of glacial acetic acid, and was added dropwise to the distillation reactor. The resulting distillate was collected and analyzed by NMR. After 1 hour, the 2-acetoxy propionic acid product yield was greater than about 90%. A small amount of dimer or polymer was also detected.

Provenance & Evidence