Sodium Hydroxide → Pyridine, 2,3,5-trichloro-

Participants

Reaction Steps

Into a 5-liter fluted 3-neck flask fitted with a reflux condenser, a heater, thermometer and a stirrer was added 251.0 grams (1.0 mole) of pentachloropyridine, 500 milliliters of benzene and 1.25 liters of 8N sodium hydroxide (10 moles). The mixture was heated to ~75° C., with stirring. At this time, 260.0 grams (4.0 gram atoms) of zinc dust was added and the mixture refluxed at ~79° C. for a total reaction time of 5 hours. The pH of the reaction mixture was 14-15. At the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove insolubles. The filter cake was washed with benzene and the benzene wash was combined with the filtrate. Gas-liquid chromatography indicated a 2,3,5-trichloropyridine content of 140.9 grams (77 percent of theoretical).

Provenance & Evidence