Ethanol → 2,4,6-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 100.7 gm, was added to 250 ml of ethanol. 228.6 ml of a 25% solution of sodium methoxide (2 equivalents) in methanol was then added to the system. The system was stirred at room temperature for approximately 1 hour. Afterwards, 69.5 gm of bromoacetic acid was added and the system then heated to reflux. After 18 hours, an additional equivalent of sodium methoxide in methanol (114.3 ml) was added as well as 34.7 gm of bromoacetic acid. The system was continued at reflux for 12 hours. The reaction was then stopped and the solvent removed by stripping. The resulting solid was washed with water and then with ether. Concentrated HCl was next added to the solid and the system was left standing for 12 hours. Afterwards, the product was filtered, washed with water and air dried. Toluene was then added to the product. The toluene was removed by stripping and any remaining water was azeotroped off with the toluene. 74.4 gm of 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid was recovered.

Provenance & Evidence