Ammonia → 2-Ethylamino-4-nitro-beta-methoxyethoxybenzene

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

185 g of diethyl sulfate (1.2 mole) are added dropwise to a mixture of 577 g of toluene and 212 g of 2-amino-4-nitro-β-methoxyethoxybenzene (1 mole). The mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 5 hours and then neutralized with 169 g of 14% strength aqueous ammonia. The toluene is removed by azeotropic distillation and the aqueous residue is adjusted to pH 0.4 with 165 g of concentrated hydrochloric acid. 10 g of keiselguhr and 0.5 g of zinc dust are added to the mixture. It is then boiled under reflux for 30 minutes and finally filtered hot. The filtrate is adjusted to pH 2 with 120 ml of concentrated sodium hydroxide solution. The precipitate is filtered off with suction and dried in vacuo. 215 g of 2-ethylamino-4-nitro-β-methoxyethoxybenzene are obtained, which corresponds to a yield of 76% of theory.

Provenance & Evidence