Sulfuric Acid → 2-Benzyltoluene

Participants

Reaction Steps

3,660 parts of 80 per cent strength by weight sulfuric acid are circulated in a loop reactor by means of a centrifugal pump. A solution of 1,120 parts of o-xylyl chloride and 3,120 parts of benzene is added at from 75° to 77° C in the course of 31/2 hours, resulting in the formation of an emulsion. A part of the emulsion is allowed to run continuously from an overflow into a settling vessel. The organic phase is separated off and distilled and the inorganic phase is returned to the circulation system. 1,334 parts (91.9% of theory) of o-benzyltoluene boiling at from 100° to 104° C at 0.3 mm Hg are isolated from the organic phase by distillation.

Provenance & Evidence