Catechol → Ethyl spiro[benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-2,1'-cyclohexane]-4'-carboxylate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of ethyl 4-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate (22.75 g) and pyrocatechol (14.75 g) in toluene (200 mL) was added catalytic amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate and the mixture was stirred under reflux and a Dean-Stark trap overnight. The mixture was diluted with diethyl ether (600 mL) and washed with aqueous NaHCO3, water and brine. After drying over Na2SO4, the mixture was filtered and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum to provide the title compound.

Provenance & Evidence