Dimethyl Sulfoxide → 2-(3-Chlorophenyl)oxirane

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 42.0 g. of 57% sodium hydride dispersed in oil and 700 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide is stirred at 70°-75° C. for 1 to 11/2 hours. The solution is diluted with 700 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran and cooled to 0° C., under nitrogen. A 200 g. (1.0 mole) sample of trimethylsulfonium iodide is added in portions, maintaining the temperature between 0°-5° C. The mixture is stirred for 15 minutes and then a solution of 70.4 g. (0.50 mole) of m-chlorobenzaldehyde in 300 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise. The resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, poured into water and extracted with ether. The extract is washed with brine, dried and evaporated in vacuo to leave m-chlorostyrene oxide.

Provenance & Evidence