Phosphoric Acid → Isobutyl 3,4-epoxybutyrate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Sodium tungstate dihydrate (0.852 g, 2.5 mmol), 85% phosphoric acid (0.850 ml, 5 mmol) 36.3% hydrogen peroxide (5.6 ml, 60 mmol) were dissolved in 20 ml of water and the pH was adjusted to 1.6 by 10% sulphuric acid. The solution was heated to 70° C., and under vigorous stirring a solution of 2-methylpropyl 3-butenoate (7.1 g, 50 mmol), trimethylcaprylammonium chloride (0.41 g) in 1,2-dichloroethane (15 ml) was added. After 6 hours the mixture was cooled, then the layers were separated. The aqueous phase was washed with 30 ml of dichloroethane. Organic layers were collected, washed with 2×40 ml of saturated solution or sodium sulphite, dried and distilled. The title compound was obtained as a colourless oil, b.p. 104°-108° 30 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence