Ethylene Glycol → Methylethylketone Ethylene Glycol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Methylethylketone (MEK, 3.6 g, 4.5 ml; 0.05 mol), ethylene glycol (62.1 g, 55.8 ml; 1 mol), and 0.2 g of 10% Pd/C are charged to a 150 ml Parr reactor. The system is purged with nitrogen three times. Then 500 psi of hydrogen is charged, the reactor is heated to 200° C., and the hydrogen pressure is adjusted to 1000 psi. After 3 hrs at 200° C. and 1000 psi, GC analysis shows 95% conversion of MEK and formation of 2-sec-butoxyethanol (84.7%), 2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane (3.1%) and 1,2-di-sec-butoxyethane (2.8%).

Provenance & Evidence