Water → 1H-Indene, 2-(1-methylethyl)-4-phenyl-

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Reaction Steps

The crude mix of isomeric alcohols was dissolved in toluene (150 ml) to which p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.5 g) was added. The solution was refluxed in a flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap for 1.5 h then cooled. Solid sodium bicarbonate was added and the mixture was stored overnight in a refrigerator. The next morning water (100 ml) was added and the organic layer was separated, dried over Na2SO4, and stripped under reduced pressure. The product, 2-isopropyl-4-phenylindene (10.4 g) was obtained as a brown oil. Analysis by GC indicated a purity of >96 area percent. This material was stored cold under an inert atmosphere until ready for further conversion.

Provenance & Evidence