Di-w-amyl ketone

Other acid chlorides of the type RCH2COCl can be similarly dehydrochlorinated. For example, caproyl chloride (1.2 moles) was converted into di-w-amyl ketone, b.p. 98-102°/15 mm., in 60-71.5% yield. In this case, it was found preferable to remove the amine salt from the reaction mixture by washing with 2% sulfuric acid. The butylketene dimer was then extracted from the reaction mixture by washing with 5% sodium hydroxide solution the alkaline solution was acidified with sulfuric acid and steam-distilled. The oily layer in the distillate was separated and fractionated. 

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