Potassium Hydroxide → 2-Butynedioic acid, potassium salt (1:2)

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a mixture of potassium hydroxide (44.8 g) and methanol (200 ml) was added 2,3-dibromosuccinic acid (55.2 g), and the whole was heated under reflux for 5 hours over a water bath. After cooling, white crystals were filtered and washed with methanol to afford a mixture (89 g) of acetylenedicarboxylic acid di-potassium salt and potassium bromide. The mixture was dissolved in water (as little water as possible was used) and 6N sulfuric acid (36 ml) was carefully added. White crystals formed were filtered to give 12.8 g of acetylenedicarboxylic acid mono-potassium salt.

Provenance & Evidence