Water → 1,4-Benzenedimethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

440 g (2.52 moles) of p-xylylene dichloride, 637 g (4.57 moles) of anhydrous potassium carbonate and 6 liters of water were charged to a flask. The temperature was raised until refluxing began at 103° C. and this temperature was maintained for 5 hours with the contents of the flask being stirred. Approximately 3 liters of water were then removed by distillation. Upon cooling to room temperature white crystals of p-xylylene glycol appeared. The p-xylylene glycol was obtained by filtration and was recrystallised from hot water.

Provenance & Evidence