Diethyl Carbonate → 5,5-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 208 grams (2 moles) 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (neopentyl glycol), 295 grams diethyl carbonate, and 4.3 grams NaOCH3 was placed in a flask equipped with an 18-inch vigreux column and heated gradually to 130° C. About 230 ml ethanol was distilled. When the pot temperature reached 150°-160° C. excess diethyl carbonate was removed under reduced pressure. The resulting product was dissolved in benzene, washed with water, and concentrated. This product was recrystallized from ether and isolated as pure 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one. A 75 gram sample had a melting point of 108° C., very nearly matching that in the literature (109° C.).

Provenance & Evidence