Hydrochloric Acid → 2-Mercapto-5-methyl-4-heptanone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A reaction flask was charged with HCl (1.25 M, 500 mL) in methanol (0.63 mol). S-(5-methyl-4-oxoheptan-2-yl) ethanethioate (127.0 g, 0.63 mol) (synthesized as above in EXAMPLE I) then added into the reaction flask in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. for about 48 hours, then cooled down to room temperature, and transferred into a separatory funnel Water (250 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was then extracted twice with ethyl acetate (250 mL each time). The organic phases were combined, washed with water (250 mL) followed by brine (100 mL), and then dried with magnesium sulfate. Further distillation of the obtained crude product under a vacuum (at 57° C. with a pressure of 1.33 mmHg) provided 2-mercapto-5-methyl-heptan-4-one (76.0 g) (about 76% yield with a purity over 98% monitored with gas chromatography).

Provenance & Evidence