Carbon Tetrachloride → Benzene, 1-methyl-3-(trichloromethyl)-

Participants

Reaction Steps

70.0 gms of 3-methyl benzal chloride dissolved in 286.4 gms of carbon tetrachloride was charged into a reaction vessel with 2.67 gms of Aliquat 4 (dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride in alcohol). 192 gms of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide was added and the mixture heated to reflux for a period of about 4 hours. During this period water was continuously removed from the reaction media using a Dean Stark Trap. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was filtered, water was added to the mixture, and the organic layer was separated by phase separation. The organic layer was stripped on a rotary evaporator to give 84.9 gms of a clear yellow oil. (Yield 93.4%).

Provenance & Evidence