Methane → 5-(1-Chloro-2-methyl-2-nitropropyl)-2H-1,3-benzodioxole

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 242.8 g (1.016 moles) of 1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)nitroethane in 500 ml of benzene was treated with 139 g (84 ml, 1.17 moles) of thionyl chloride, after which the mixture was refluxed for 4 hours, cooled slightly and concentrated to a dark yellow oil which crystallised on cooling and seeding. The resulting solid was broken up and dispersed in 150 ml of 2-propanol after which it was separated, washed twice with cold 2-propanol and dried to give crude 1,1-dimethyl-2-chloro-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)nitroethane as a light yellow solid, m.p. 63°-66° C (Yield 230.9 g). A 201.3 g portion of the crude product was treated with "Darco" (Trade Mark) and recrystallised from 402 ml of SDA-30 to give 181.6 g (79.6%) of the pure product as a white solid, m.p. 65°-67° C.

Provenance & Evidence