Dichloro propanol conversion

Notable examples of general synthetic procedures in Volume 47 include the synthesis of aromatic aldehydes (from dichloro-methyl methyl ether), aliphatic aldehydes (from alkyl halides and trimethylamine oxide and by oxidation of alcohols using dimethyl sulfoxide, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and pyridinum trifluoro-acetate the latter method is particularly useful since the conditions are so mild), carbethoxycycloalkanones (from sodium hydride, diethyl carbonate, and the cycloalkanone), m-dialkylbenzenes (from the />-isomer by isomerization with hydrogen fluoride and boron trifluoride), and the deamination of amines (by conversion to the nitrosoamide and thermolysis to the ester). Other general methods are represented by the synthesis of 1 J-difluoroolefins (from sodium chlorodifluoroacetate, triphenyl phosphine, and an aldehyde or ketone), the nitration of aromatic rings (with ni-tronium tetrafluoroborate), the reductive methylation of aromatic nitro compounds (with formaldehyde and hydrogen), the synthesis of dialkyl ketones (from carboxylic acids and iron powder), and the preparation of 1-substituted cyclopropanols (from the condensation of a 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol derivative and ethyl-... 

The second step involved the conversation of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl-isothiocyanate to 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)-thiourea ethylenediamine solvate. The solution of 2,6-dicloro-4-nitrophenyl-isothiocyanate (432 g, 1.73 mol) in 2 L of toluene was added dropwise to the cooled (0°C) solution ethylenediamine (244 ml, 3.66 mol, 2.1 eq.) in toluene (4 L) under a nitrogen atmosphere. 2-Propanol (1 L) was added and after 5 minutes, the solid was collected by filtration, washed with 20% 2-propanol/toluene, and dried to a constant weight of 602 g (94%). This product is hygroscopic, mp 120°C (dec.). 

The fourth step was the conversation of 2-[2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl) imino]imidazoline (150 g, 0.55 mol) in methanol (1,5 L) to 2-[(2,6-dichloro-4-aminophenyl)imino]imidazoline by hydrogen with 30 g Raney nickel catalyst at 23°C for 22 hours. After removing the catalyst hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled into solution until pH of the reaction mixture was 1.0. The solvent was rotary removed in vacuum and the residual solid was slurried with 2-propanol (1 L). The solvent was again removed by rotary evaporation, the cream solid was triturated with 2-propanol (600 ml). After aging for 1 hour, the solid was collected by filtration, washed with 2-propanol and t-butyl methyl ether, and dried for 15 hours at 6°C and t-butyl methyl ether, and dried for 15 hours at 60°C and 20 mm Hg. Yield of dihydrochloride 167 g... 

Kinetic resolution in the catalytic conversion of racemic chloro propanols to optically active epoxides has been achieved by use of a chiral Co(salen) type complex in combination with K2CO3. Although enantioselectivity was modest (< 35 % ee), this first use in asymmetric epoxide formation of the chiral ligand system that was later brought to fame through the Jacobsen-Katsuki asymmetric epoxidation is noteworthy [56,57]. When applied to the prochiral l,3-dichloro-2-propanol, asymmetric induction of up to ca. 60 % ee was achieved (Sch. 8) [58]. 

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