Hydrochloric Acid → 2-(2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate

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Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

In an oven dried 12 L three-necked roundbottom flask, equipped with a magnetic stir bar and a 1000 mL pressure-equalizing dropping funnel, a solution of NaOH (440.0 g, 11.0 mol) is added to 1800 mL water and the mixture is cooled to approximately 0° C. A solution of triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, Formula A, (656.84 g, 4.0 mol) in THF (1000 mL) is added. The clear solution is stirred vigorously at 0° C. for 15 min and a solution of tosyl chloride (915.12, 4.8 mol) in THF (2.0 L) added dropwise over a 1 h period. The reaction mixture is stirred for an additional 1 h at 0° C., and 10% HCl (5.0 L) is added to quench the reaction (to pH 5-7). The two-phase mixture is transferred to a 4 L separatory funnel, the organic layer removed, and the aqueous layer extracted with t-butylmethyl ether (3×250 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (2×350 mL), dried (MgSO4), and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford Formula B, 1217.6 g (95%) as a light colored oil. This material is taken to the next step without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence