Catechol → o-(1-Methoxyethoxy)-phenol

Participants

Reaction Steps

110 parts by weight of pyrocatechol is suspended in 100 parts by weight of toluene. At +5° C., 64 parts by weight of vinylmethyl ether at -40° C. is introduced all at once into the suspension and a drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid is then added. The mixture is heated, with stirring, to about +20° C., whereupon the reaction is initiated and the temperature in the flask rises to about 65° C. If necessary, ice water may be used for external cooling. The mixture is kept for 30 minutes at 65° C. and 5 parts by weight of 2N NaOH is then added. After the mixture has been cooled and dried with Na2SO4 the solvent is evaporated in a rotary evaporator and distillation carried out in vacuo.

Provenance & Evidence