Phenylacetaldehyde → 4-Benzyl-3,3-dimethyloxetan-2-one

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

2-Methylprop-1-en-1-one (0.04 g, 5.0 mmol) and 2-phenylacetaldehyde (0.60 g, 5.0 mmol) were dissolved in ethylacetate (3.5 mL) and stirred at 0° C. under nitrogen. Zinc(II) chloride (0.03 g, 0.25 mmol) was added quickly and the reaction mixture was kept at 0° C. for a short period and then at room temperature overnight (monitored by TLC). The reaction mixture was then treated at room temperature with a solution of NaHCO3(aq). The organic layers were combined, dried, and concentrated in vacuo, and the crystallization in CH2Cl2:hexane=1:1 gave 4-benzyl-3,3-dimethyloxetan-2-one (0.80 g, 84%).

Provenance & Evidence