Methanesulfonic Acid → HCID 54382959, compound

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Cyanoacetic acid (85.5 g; 1.0 mol), 2-ethylhexanol (172 g; 1.32 mol) and methanesulfonic acid (0.47 g; 0.005 mol) were introduced into a 500 ml flask under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction vessel was equipped with a distillation column that is provided with means for recycling the alkanol distillate to the flask. The mixture was heated slowly to a maximum of 130° C. while gradually reducing the pressure to about 15 mm of Hg. Water was continuously removed from the distillates (bp 68-80° C./100 mm Hg) and the organic layer (2-ethylhexanol) was returned to the flask until the reaction was complete. After distilling off the unreacted 2-ethylhexanol, the ethylhexyl cyanoacetate (bp 146° C./5 mm Hg) was isolated as a clear liquid. The average yield was 194 g (98.1% of theoretical) having a purity of 99.5% (GC assay).

Provenance & Evidence