Catechol → 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 120 grams of catechol and 10 grams of Aliquat® 336 (brand of tricaprylmethylammonium chloride, of General Mills Chemical Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota) at 80° C. is added ethyl chloroacetate (87 grams, 1 mole) over a one hour period. The reaction mass is stirred for one hour and then cooled. 1000 ml of dilute (5%) hydrochloric acid is added with stirring. The aqueous layer is discarded. The organic layer is washed twice with a minimum amount of water. The toluene is distilled off under reduced pressure to afford 119 grams of crude product. Recrystallization from ethanol afforded 92 grams of 1,4-benzodioxan-2-one.

Provenance & Evidence