Propanal → Propane, 1,1-diethoxy-

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Into a 2-liter flask under nitrogen were added 586 g (3.96 moles) of triethyl orthoformate, 46 g (56 ml, 1 mole) of ethanol, and 16 g of ammonium nitrate. Over the course of one hour 232 g (4 moles) of propionaldehyde were added with stirring. An ice bath was used as necessary to keep maintain the mixture at 30-36° C. The mixture turned yellow orange after one-third of the propionaldehyde had been added. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then brought to pH 7.5±0.2 with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate (about 30 ml). The aqueous layer was decanted, and the organic layer was distilled over sodium carbonate at atmospheric pressure to produce 124 g (81.6%) of 1.

Provenance & Evidence