Kojic Acid → 5-(benzyloxy)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 17 g (0.12 mole) of kojic acid and 5.1 g (0.13 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 190 ml of 10:1 (by volume) methanol-water was added dropwise 17.5 g (0.14 mole) of benzyl chloride. After 4.5 hours at reflux, the mixture was allowed to cool and was poured into 200 ml of ice-water. The resultant solid was collected, washed with water, and dried, giving 22.4 g of analytically pure title compound, m.p. 128°-130°.

Provenance & Evidence