Toluene → octyl levulinate

Participants

Reaction Steps

I-Bromooctane (332 g, 1.72 mol) was added to a stirring mixture of levulinic acid (200 g, 1.72 mol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (55.1 g, 0.17 mol), and K2CO3 (357 g, 2.58 mol) in DMF (500 mL) drop-wise and stirred at room temperature for overnight. The resulting mixture was diluted in toluene and the organic layer was washed with HCl (10%), brine, and water. The solvent was concentrated in vacuo and the oil was purified by vacuum distillation to afford the product octyl levulinate as a clear oil.

Provenance & Evidence