Hydrochloric Acid → Hexahydro-3H-benzofuran-2-one

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

2-Oxocyclohexylacetic acid (31.2 g, 200 mmol) is dissolved in 125 ml of 0.2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and, at room temperature, added dropwise to a solution of sodium borohydride (18.9 g, 500 mmol) in 150 ml of 0.2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The mixture is stirred for 20 h and then cooled to 0° C. and carefully acidified with 6 N HCl. The strongly acidic solution is then heated at 100° C. for 30 min and subsequently stirred overnight. The cold mixture is then extracted with MTBE, and the combined ether phases are washed with 5% strength sodium carbonate solution and sat. NaCl solution, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and concentrated. Purification is carried out by distillation (b.p.: 75° C./0.01 mm). Yield: 22.9 g (81.7%). MS (CI): m/e=141 [M+H+]

Provenance & Evidence