Toluene → 2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)oxirane

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (13.4 g, 0.098 mol), a solution of sodium hydroxide (200 g) in water (200 ml), dodecyl-dimethylsulfonium methyl sulfate (51 g, 0.15 mol) and toluene (150 ml) is stirred for 17 hours. Ice is then added and the organic phase is separated, washed with water (3×50 ml), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The above product is recovered from the thus obtained residue by distillation at 135°-140° C. and 30 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence