Methyl iodide → Methyl benzilate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

90 g (0.394 mol) benzilic acid are dissolved in 900 ml acetonitrile and at 5° C. 109.6 g (0.72 mol) of DBU are added dropwise. After the addition of 204.4 g (1.44 mol) of methyl iodide the mixture is stirred for 24 hours at ambient temperature (about 20-23° C.). The solution is evaporated down to the residue, the residue is taken up in diethyl ether and extracted with water. The organic phase is washed with 5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution and water, dried and the solvent is distilled off. The product is purified by recrystallisation from cyclohexane. Yield: 77.19 g white crystals (=81% of theory) Melting point: 74°-76° C.

Provenance & Evidence