Benzoyl chloride → 4-Methoxybenzophenone

Participants

Reaction Steps

Anisole (10.8 grams, 0.1 mole) and benzoyl chloride (14 grams, 0.1 mole) were dissolved in 200 milliliters of hexane and stirred at room temperature. Anhydrous aluminum chloride, 15 grams, was added slowly to the reaction mixture over a period of 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred an additional 15 minutes. The hexane was decanted and the resulting viscous residue was carefully hydrolyzed with 200 milliliters of a mixture of ice and dilute hydrochloric acid. The organic fraction was taken up in dichloromethane and the resulting solution was washed with water. Dichloromethane was removed on a rotary evaporator leaving an oil product that solidified on standing. The solidified product was broken-up, washed with two 50 milliliter portions of pentane, and dried, yielding 4-methoxybenzophenone.

Provenance & Evidence