1,2-Epoxybutane → 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-ethyldihydro-3-phenyl-

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Reaction Steps

To a mixture of 117 g. (1.0 m) benzyl cyanide, 72 g. (1.1 m) powdered 86% potassium hydroxide and 250 ml. dimethylformamide under a nitrogen atmosphere is added dropwise 74 g. (1.0 m) 1,2-epoxy-butane at 5° C. The temperature is held at 5° C. for 30 minutes and allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction mixture is poured into 1,500 ml. water and extracted with 5×200 ml. toluene. To the combined toluene extracts is added 50 ml. of 50% hydrochloric acid and the mixture is heated on a steam bath for one hour. The toluene layer is then water washed until it is neutral, dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The solvent is removed under vacuum to give 135 g. of a pale yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence