Affecting a Hydroxy Group

2-(l-Hydroxyethyl)-benzotellurophene was acetylated with acetic anhydride in pyridine.  

2-(l-Acetoxyethyl)-bcnzotelIurophene A solution of 3.9 g (14.2 mmol) of 2-(l-hydroxyethyl)-benzo-lellurophene and 3.6 g (35 mmol) of acetic anhydride in Qml of dry pyridine is kept at 20° for 48 h and is then poured into ice/water. The mixture is extracted with diethyl ether, the organic phase is separated, washed with ice-cold, 10% aqueous sulfuric acid and then with aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The organic phase is dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using petroleum ether (b.p. 40-60°)/diethyl ether mixtures (49 1, 47 1, 43 1) as mobile phases yield 3.2 g (70%) m.p. 30°. 

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