Ammonium nitrate → Pyridine, 3-ethyl-5-methyl-

Participants

Reaction Steps

156 parts of 3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-2-methoxy-5-methyl-4H-pyran are dissolved in 25 parts of water, 300 parts of acetic acid and 2 parts of 60 percent strength nitric acid at 22° C. After 15 minutes, a solution of 80 parts of ammonium nitrate in 80 parts of water is added. The resulting solution is added to 800 parts of acetic acid at 110° C. in the course of 20 minutes, whilst stirring. The reaction mixture is left to cool, the acetic acid, water and methanol are distilled off, 200 parts of water are added to the residue and the solution is rendered alkaline with 25 percent strength ammonia solution. The 3-ethyl-5-methyl-pyridine is extracted with ether. Distillation gives 80 parts (66% of theory) of 3-ethyl-5-methyl-pyridine of boiling point 83° C./15 mm Hg.

Provenance & Evidence