Sulfuric Acid → 2-Hexyldecanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

Concentrated sulphuric acid (100 g) was diluted with water (750 ml) and this solution was cooled to room temperature and added to a solution of 2-hexyldecanol (242 g) in methylene chloride (600 ml). The solutions were stirred together beneath a reflux condenser and solid potassium permanganate was added in portions during 5 hours so as to maintain gentle boiling of the methylene chloride. The mixture was filtered to remove precipitate manganese dioxide, and the organic layer was separated and washed with water. The solvent was distilled leaving 2-hexyldecanoic acid (222 g) as a nearly colourless oil.

Provenance & Evidence