Methanol → Dihydro-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2(3H)-furanone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 58 g of methyl acetoacetate, 44 g of ethylene oxide, 3 g of NaCl and 70 ml of methanol was heated in an autoclave under autogenous pressure for 12 hours at 80° C. Thereafter, the methanol was distilled off, the residue was taken up with water, and the solution was washed with a little chloroform and distilled. 52.6 g of 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-γ-butyrolactone were obtained, corresponding to a yield of 81% of theory.

Provenance & Evidence