Benzyl Chloride → 4,5-Dihydro-4-methyl-2-phenyl-4-[(phenylmethoxy)methyl]oxazole

Participants

Reaction Steps

A suspension of 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-2-phenyloxazoline (19.1 grams, prepared by the method described in J. Amer, Chem. Soc. 1945, 67, 1069) in toluene (200 milliliters) was added slowly to a stirred suspension of sodium hydride (2.4 grams) in toluene (50 milliliters). Some warming was necessary to initiate the reaction. The mixture was then heated under reflux for 2 hours with stirring. Benzyl chloride (13.0 grams) was added to the mixture over a period of 10 minutes. The mixture was heated under reflux for a further 5 hours and then allowed to stand at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was washed with water (3 × 200 milliliters), dried (MgSO4) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was distilled in vacuo to give the desired product, boiling point 147°-149°C at 0.3 Torr.

Provenance & Evidence