Acetic Acid → 4,4'-Dimethoxybenzil

Participants

Reaction Steps

4,4'-Dimethoxybenzoin was prepared as described in Example 1. 4,4'-Dimethoxybenzil (50.3 g), ammonium nitrate (20.3 g), cupric acetate (0.69 g) and 150 ml 80% acetic acid were heated to 80° C. with vigorous stirring until a clear, green solution was obtained. Following 1 hour at reflux, the mixture was poured into 1 liter of water and the precipitate was collected. Recrystallization from hot methanol afforded 4,4'-dimethoxybenzil. Yield 44.2 g (88%). 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ7.97 (m, 4H, aromatic), 6.97 (m, 4H, aromatic, 3.86 (s, 6H OMe).

Provenance & Evidence