Benzoyl chloride → 4-Methoxybenzophenone

Participants

Reaction Steps

Anisole (0.1 mole, 10.8 grams) and benzoyl chloride (0.1 mole, 14 grams) were dissolved in 200 milliliters of hexane and stirred at room temperature while 15 grams of anhydrous aluminum chloride were added slowly over a period of 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred an additional 15 minutes and then the hexane decanted. The resulting viscous residue in the reaction flask was carefully hydrolyzed with 200 milliliters of a mixture of ice and dilute hydrochloric acid. The resulting organic fraction was taken up in dichloromethane and the resulting solution washed with water. Dichloromethane solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator leaving an oil product that solidified on standing. The solidified product was broken-up and washed with two 50 milliliters portions of pentane. Suction drying afforded 4-methoxybenzophenone in near quantitative yield.

Provenance & Evidence