Formaldehyde → 2-Ethylacrylic Acid (ethyl 2-ethylacrylate)

Participants

Reaction Steps

The 2-carboethoxybutyric acid obtained in step (a) was cooled to −5° C. and diethylamine was added. A solution of formalin was added dropwise into the cooled reaction mixture which was then allowed to warm to room temperature. After stirring for 24 h the reaction mixture was warmed to 60° C. and stirred for 8 h more. The mixture consisted of two layers, which were cooled to 0° C. Concentrated sulfuric acid was added and the mixture is extracted with three 200 ml portions of diethyl ether. The ether extracts were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The ether was removed under reduced pressure to produce ethyl 2-ethylacrylate as a yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence