Benzophenone → Benzhydrol

Participants

Reaction Steps

1.82 g of benzophenone (10 mmol) and 98 ml of 2-propanol were added to a 100 ml flask under argon atmosphere and heated to reflux. A 0.1 M NaOiPr solution in 2-propanol (2 ml) and 400 μl of a 2-propanol solution containing the catalyst (7) (3 mg, 0.0039 mmol dissolved in 8 ml of 2-propanol) were added. The molar ratios of benzophenone/catalyst/NaOiPr were equal to 50000/1/1000. 1H NMR analysis of the mixture indicated that the reaction was complete after 2 hours. By evaporating the solvent, a colourless residue was obtained which was extracted with 30 ml of diethyl ether. This solution was then passed through a silica filled column to remove the catalyst and sodium alkoxide. The filtrate was treated with Na2SO4, filtered, and removal of the solvent led to benzhydrol which was dried under reduced pressure (10−2 mmHg).

Provenance & Evidence