Water → (E)-3-(3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

10 g of boric acid are added to a solution of 76 g (0.63 mole) of 3-methylbenzaldehyde and 104.5 (0.63 mole) of 4-nitroacetophenone in 1 l of xylene, and the mixture is refluxed for 8 hours under a water separator. A further 5 g of boric acid are added, after which the mixture is boiled for a further 8 hours. This process is repeated until the theoretical amount of water has been separated off (2-3 times). The cooled reaction mixture is filtered under suction and the residue is washed with toluene and dried under reduced pressure to give 131 g (77% of theory) of a yellowish brown powder of melting point 130°-132° C.

Provenance & Evidence