Acetoin → 3-(2,6-Dimethylphenylamino)-2-butanone

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 484.8 g (4 mols) 2,6-dimethylaniline and 422.8 g (4.8 mols) 3-hydroxy-2-butanone in 1200 ml benzene was heated under reflux for 21 hours in a reaction vessel equipped with a Dean-Stark trap. The reaction mixture was then cooled, washed with four 600-ml portions of water, slurried with silica gel, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 722 g of 3-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)-2-butanone, as an orange oil. The infrared spectrum of the product showed strong carbonyl absorption at 6.3 microns.

Provenance & Evidence