Hydrochloric Acid → 4-(2-Methylphenyl)cyclohexanone

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-(2-methylphenyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanone ethylene ketal from the preceding step in 800 mL dioxane was treated with 16 mL concentrated hydrochloric acid and 30 grams 10% palladium-on-carbon under 35 p.s.i. hydrogen for 24 hours, then filtered through Celite to remove the catalyst. The filtrate was treated with 230 mL water and stirred at room temperature for 48 hours. The solution was evaporated, the pH adjusted to 8 with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexanes as eluent to afford 33.3 grams (35%) of an oil.

Provenance & Evidence