Water → 2-(Phenylmethoxy)-1,3-propanediol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 370 g of 5-benzyloxy-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane and 35 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid in a medium of 750 ml of water and 1.2 l of ethanol was refluxed for 2 hours. The ethanol was then removed by evaporation under reduced pressure, and by-product benzaldehyde was removed by steam distillation. The aqueous mixture was saturated with potassium carbonate, and the product was extracted from the aqueous medium with ether. The ethereal solution was dried (MgSO4) and evaporated under reduced pressure to give solid product, which upon recrystallization from a benzene/ligroine system gave 218 g of 2-benzyloxy-1,3-propanediol, m.p. 38°-39° C.

Provenance & Evidence