Formaldehyde → 2,3-Dihydroxy-1,2-diphenylpropan-1-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 100 parts of benzoin in 240 parts of dimethyl sulfoxide was added dropwise over 10 minutes to a dispersion of 17 parts of paraformaldehyde having a purity of 75% and 2.6 parts of potassium hydroxide in 580 parts of dimethyl sulfoxide and the mixture was agitated for further 15 minutes to effect the reaction which was terminated with addition of diluted hydrochloric acid followed by the admixture of the reaction mixture with 900 parts of water. The thus obtained aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate extract was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride and concentrated by evaporating the solvent under reduced pressure to give 113 parts of α-hydroxymethyl benzoin. The yield was more than 99% of the theoretical value.

Provenance & Evidence