Toluene → HCID 20767651, compound

Participants

Reaction Steps

A stirred 2-liter autoclave is charged with toluene (400g), cobaltous 2-ethyl hexanoate (2g), acetic anhydride (50g) and potassium cyanide (25g) in that order in the confines of a well ventilated hood. The autoclave is sealed, flushed with N2 and heated to 150° whereupon the N2 pressure of 176 psig is increased to 220 psig with oxygen. The oxygen pressure is maintained at 45 psig during the reaction and at completion of the reaction the product is isolated by distillation. At 1.5% conversion of the toluene there is a 25% yield of benzyl acetate and 72% yield of 2-cyanobenzyl acetate based on the toluene converted.

Provenance & Evidence