1,2-Dichloroethane → Orcinol

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Reaction Steps

This product mixture is introduced into a separation vessel or series of separation vessels. This vessel or these vessels may be fractional distillation vessels. In these vessels, the mono-substituted methylresorcinol isomers are separated from unreacted resorcinol and other methylated hydroxyaromatic compounds. The boiling points of these compounds are substantially close to each other so that a good separation in a single fractional distillation vessel may be difficult. The boiling points are: m-methoxy phenol 244.3° C., 2-methylresorcinol 264° C., 4-methylresorcinol 267°-270° C., 5-methylresorcinol 287°-290° C., and resorcinol 275.9° C. and higher methylated resorcinols above 290° C. Preferably, the product mixture is fractionally distilled to obtain a fraction rich in 5-methylresorcinol and a fraction rich in 2-methylresorcinol. Also, a fraction rich in 4-methylresorcinol may be obtained. Each rich fraction is treated in a separate vessel to fractional crystallization from 1,2-dichloroethane with a varied solvent ratio. From this operation the appropriate mono-substituted resorcinol and preferably, predominantly the 5-methylresorcinol along with some 2-methylresorcinol are obtained in a pure state.

Provenance & Evidence