Formaldehyde → 1-(Hydroxymethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Methanol is added to a suspension of 37% formaldehyde solution (69 ml.) and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde (100 g.; 0.89 mole) to afford a homogeneous solution. The mixture is cooled to 0° C. and a sodium hydroxide solution (1 N; 67 ml.) is added with stirring over the course of 15 minutes. The mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature and is stirred at 25° C. overnight. The solution is then concentrated, diluted with water and extracted with ether. The ether extract is dried, evaporated in vacuo and the residual colorless liquid is distilled to afford 51% of 1-formyl-1-hydroxymethylcyclohexane (65 g.), b.p. 120°-125° C./0.90 mm.

Provenance & Evidence