Lactic Acid → 2-(4-Chlorophenoxymethyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of 17.05g (0.07 mole) of 4-chlorophenoxyacetaldehyde in 100 ml of ether was added 9.0g (0.1 mole) of lactic acid dissolved in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran. To the clear solution was added 15 g (0.105 mole) of boron trifluoride etherate. After 24 hours at ambient temperature, the reaction mixture was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried, concentrated, and purified by silica chromatography. The first fraction that emerged from the column was 2-(4-chlorophenoxymethyl-10-5-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one, the transisomer, having a melting point of 37-40°. The second fraction was the cis isomer which melted at 53°-55°.

Provenance & Evidence