Methyl iodide → Methyl benzilate

Participants

Reaction Steps

90 g (0.394 mol) of benzilic acid are dissolved in 900 mL acetonitrile and at 5° C. 109.6 g (0.72 mol) of DBU are added dropwise. After the addition of 204.4 g (1.44 mol) of methyl iodide, the mixture is stirred for 24 hours at ambient temperature (about 20° C. to 23° C.). The solution is evaporated down to the residue, the residue is taken up in diethyl ether and extracted with water. The organic phase is washed with 5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution and water, dried, and the solvent is distilled off. The product is purified by recrystallization from cyclohexane. Yield: 77.19 g of white crystals (81% of theoretical yield); melting point: 74° C.-76° C.

Provenance & Evidence