The Vespiary

The Hive => Methods Discourse => Topic started by: psyloxy on May 08, 2004, 03:25:00 PM

Title: K2S2O8 oxidation of o/m-cresol to toluhydrochinone
Post by: psyloxy on May 08, 2004, 03:25:00 PM

Patent DE81068 (http://l2.espacenet.com/dips/viewer?PN=DE81068&CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD)



(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/hive/hiveboard/picproxie_docs/000505784-rxn.gif)

preparation of hydrochinone

3kg potassium persulfate are gradually introduced Into a solution of 1.2kg phenol and 2.5kg NaOH in 75Kg H2O. The mixture is left alone for 1 to 2 days at room temp or 40°C. After the rxn is over carbonic acid is introduced, the unreacted phenol is removed by steam distillation, the remainder is boiled with dilute HCl or H2SO4 and the hydrochinone extracted with Et2O.

preparation of toluhydrochinone

If equivalent amounts of ortho- or meta-cresol are treated as above an oily residuum remains, which, when recrystallized from benzene, gives toluhydrochinone with a mp of 124°C

--psyloxy--