Boron trifluoride → 2-Benzoylbenzoic Acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

7.4 g of phthalic anhydride and 3.9 of benzene were charged at ambient temperature into a stainless steel autoclave. The autoclave was cooled by liquid nitrogen and 10 g of HF and 37.4 g of BF3 were introduced. The autoclave was heated to 20° C. and the pressure raised to 47 bars. The temperature was maintained at 20° C. for 15 minutes and the product degassed under reduced pressure in order to recover the catalyst. After washing with cold water, 10 g of crude o-benzoyl benzoic acid were obtained titrating 74.4% and containing 0.5% of anthraquinone, thus a chemical yield of 66%. After purification by extraction with 600 cm3 of boiling water, then crystallization by cooling to 20° C., o-benzoyl benzoic acid titrating 98.4% was obtained.

Provenance & Evidence