Hydrogen Peroxide → 4-Methoxyphenol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 13.6 g 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and 1.1 equivalents 50 percent H2O2 in 55 ml methanol at about 20° C. is added 0.10 equivalent of 98 percent H2SO4. The mixture is refluxed for about 1.5 hours, then Na2SO3 is added to destroy excess H2O2. Then, NaHCO3 is added to neutralize any acid. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The resulting solid is taken up in about 50 ml CH2Cl2, is dried over Na2SO4, and is filtered. The sol-vent is removed under reduced pressure from the filtrate giving approximately a 94 mole percent yield of 4-methoxyphenol as is determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography.

Provenance & Evidence