Sulfuric Acid → Trimethylhydroquinone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution containing 100 mmols of potassium persulfate in one liter of water is added dropwise with stirring, at 20° C., to a solution containing 100 mmols of 2,3,5-trimethylphenol in 100 ml of a 10% solution of sodium hydroxide. After stirring for 20 hours, the reaction mixture is neutralized with concentrated sulfuric acid and the solid formed is filtered. The remaining aqueous solution is acidified by slowly adding 220 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid, and heated for 30 minutes at 80° C. The oil formed is decanted and extracted with ethyl ether. The expected product is obtained after drying the ether phase, evaporating and recrystallizing in ethyl acetate.

Provenance & Evidence