Ethylene Glycol → 2-(Benzyloxy) ethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 156.75 g of dry ethylene glycol and 64.37 g of 87.2% potassium hydroxide is warmed and stirred until a complete solution. The mixture is then stirred in a 90° C. oil bath and 130.51 g of benzyl chloride is added dropwise over 2 hours. This mixture is then stirred at 130° C. for 2 hours, cooled and 500 ml of water added. The oil is extracted twice with ether. The extracts are combined and evaporated. The residue is distilled, giving 83.2 g of ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether.

Provenance & Evidence