Hydroquinone → Hydroquinone mono-acetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Hydroquinone (440 g) was dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide (160 g) in water (1600 ml) and to the resulting solution was added dropwise a solution of acetyl chloride (346 g) in tetrahydrofuran (346 g), while maintaining the temperature at 0° C. with ice-cooling. After addition, the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed with a small amount of water. Ethyl acetate was removed and the residue was distilled under a reduced pressure to give hydroquinone monoacetate (188 g). b.p. 144°-147° C./4 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence