Methanol → 3-(Dimethoxymethyl)pentane

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Reaction Steps

417.3 g of methanol, 1625 g of cyclohexane, and 6.2 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid are placed in a 4 liter three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer, dropping funnel, reflux condenser, and internal thermometer. 651.3 g of 2-ethylbutyraldehyde is added with stirring over a 5 minute period. Owing to the acetal formation which starts spontaneously, the internal temperature rises to about 32° C. The mixture is allowed to react at 40° C. for 30 minutes, a pH of 7.0 is then established in the reaction mixture, which is composed of a lower water phase and an upper organic phase, by addition of sodium hydroxide solution (20% aqueous solution), and the water phase is separated. To remove the low-boiling components, the organic phase is subjected to initial distillation at 200 mbar and a bottom temperature up to 105° C.

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