2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanedione → 2,2,4,4-Tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A 2 liter Parr autoclave was charged with 50 grams of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione, 650 grams of dionized water, and 25 grams of 2% ruthenium on alumina (surface area=10 m2/g, purchased from BASF Catalysts). The autoclave was pressure purged three times with nitrogen and three times with hydrogen, and the pressure was increased to 3.5 MPa (500 psig) with hydrogen. The autoclave was heated to 80° C. with stirring at approximately 1000 rpm (revolutions per minute) and held for 6 hours at 3.5 MPa (500 psig). Analysis of the product by gas chromatography indicated that complete conversion of the 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione was obtained with 100% selectivity to 2,2,4,4-tetramethycyclobutane-1,3-diol with a cis:trans ratio of 2.06:1.

Provenance & Evidence