Carbon Dioxide → Phenylbenzylglyoxal

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a boiling solution of 30 g 1,3-diphenyl-2,3-epoxy-1-propanone in 500 ml ethanol was rapidly added a hot solution of 30 g potassium t-butoxide in 500 ml ethanol. The mixture was kept boiling on a steambath for 2 minutes. It was then diluted with 3 l. water. The aqueous solution was saturated with carbon dioxide by the addition of small pieces of dry ice. The resulting emulsion was extracted with ether. The ether extracts were diluted with benzene, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The remaining dark oil was distilled in high vacuum to afford 19.5 g 1,3-diphenyl-1,2-propanedione; b.p. 136°-138°/0.1 mm.

Provenance & Evidence