1-Naphthaldehyde → 2-[(Naphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]butanedioic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 32.3 g of ethyl succinate and 29.0 g of 1-naphthaldehyde in 320 ml of absolute ethyl alcohol was added 10.7 g of a 50% sodium hydride (dispersion in mineral oil), and the mixture was heated under reflux for 0.5 hours. To the reaction mixture was added 230 ml of a 1N-aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the residue was extracted with diethyl ether to remove neutral materials. The aqueous layer was acidified by the addition of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the acid solution was extracted with diethyl ether. The ethereal layer was washed with a saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. To the residue was added benzene, and precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to obtain 26.5 g of 2-(1-naphthylmethylene)succinic acid.

Provenance & Evidence