1-Butanol → Butyl pyruvate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

First, a toluene (1 L) solution of pyruvic acid (440 g, 5.0 mol), n-butanol (371 g, 5.0 mol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (2.5 g) was heated and refluxed for 16 hours while removing water under a nitrogen gas stream, whereby a first reaction solution was obtained. Next, the first reaction solution was cooled to room temperature (25° C.). Thereafter, toluene was removed under reduced pressure (40 mmHg) using an evaporator, and the residue was purified by reduced pressure distillation (40 mmHg, 93 to 100° C.), whereby butyl pyruvate (505 g, yield 70%) was obtained.

Provenance & Evidence