Ether solution

Wuftz synthesis Alkyl halides react with sodium in dry ethereal solution to give hydrocarbons. If equimolecular amounts of two different halides are used, then a mixture of three hydrocarbons of the types R — R, R — R and R —R, where R and R represent the original radicals, will be formed. The yields are often poor owing to subsidiary reactions taking place. 

LiAlH4, lithium tetrahydridoaluminate ("lithium aluminium hydride . so-called) is an excellent reducing agent in ether solution for both organic and inorganic compounds it may be used to prepare covalent hydrides SiH ether, for example... 

When lithium hydride is allowed to react with aluminium chloride in ether solution, two reactions occur ... 

Transfer the reaction-mixture to a separating-funnel, run off the aqueous layer, and collect the ethereal layer. Extract the aqueous layer twice with ether (2 x 25 ml.), add the extracts to the main ethereal solution and dry over sodium sulphate. 

Distil the filtered ethereal solution, using a 100 ml. flask fitted with a dropping-funnel and a side-arm for the condenser observe all the normal precautions for ether distillation (p. 162) and run the ethereal solution into the flask as fast as the ether distils over. When all the ether has distilled off, detach and cool the flask, when the oily colourless residue of saligenin will rapidly crystallise. Weight of product, 5-0 g. m.p. 75-82°. Recrystallise either from a mixture of benzene and petroleum (b.p. 60-80°), or from a minimum of water, allowing the stirred aqueous solution to cool to 65-70° before chilling. The dry crystalline saligenin has m.p. 85-86°. 

Place the distillate in a separating-funnel and extract the benzonitrile twice, using about 30 ml. of ether for each extraction. Return the united ethereal extracts to the funnel and shake with 10% sodium hydroxide solution to eliminate traces of phenol formed by decomposition of the benzenediazonium chloride. Then run off the lower aqueous layer, and shake the ethereal solution with about an equal volume of dilute sulphuric acid to remove traces of foul-smelling phenyl isocyanide (CaHjNC) which are always present. Finally separate the sulphuric acid as completely as possible, and shake the ether with water to ensure absence of acid. Run off the water and dry the benzonitrile solution over granular calcium chloride for about 20 minutes. 

Filter the dried ethereal solution, and then distil off the ether from a small flask, using precisely similar apparatus and the same method as those described in the preparation of aniline (Fig. 64, p. 163 see also Fig. 23(E), p. 45) and observing the same precautions. When the ether has been removed, fit the distilling-flask to a short air-condenser, and distil the benzonitrile, collecting the fraction boiling between 187" and 191°. Yield, 16-5 g. (16 ml.). 

Now transfer the cold distillate to a separating-funnel, and shake vigorously with about 50-60 ml. of ether run oflF the lower aqueous layer and then decantf the ethereal solution through the mouth of the funnel into a 200 ml. conical flask. Replace the aqueous layer in the funnel, and extract similarly twice more with ether, combining the ethereal extracts in the conical flask. Add 3-4 g. of dry powdered potassium carbonate to the ethereal solution, securely cork the flask and shake the contents gently. The ethereal solution of the phenol... 

Extract the dimethylaniline by shaking the distillate in a separating-funnel with a few ml. of ether, and then dry the ethereal solution over potassium carbonate distil the filtered ethereal solution from a small distilling-flask e.g, Fig. 36, p. 63) with the usual precautions, and finally the dimethylaniline, b.p. 193°. Yield, almost theoretical. 

The Hoesch Reaction is employed for the introduction of the - COR group into the aromatic ring of phenol or a phenolic ether, and usually proceeds particularly readily with polyhydric phenols. If an ethereal solution of resorcinol (I)... 

While the sodium ethoxide solution is cooling, prepare a solution of 7 7 g. of finely powdered iodine in 60 ml. of ether. When this solution is ready, add 9 ml. (9 6 g.) of ethyl malonate to the ethanolic sodium ethoxide solution, mix w ell and then allow to stand for 30-60 seconds not longer) then cautiously add the ethereal solution of the iodine, mixing thoroughly during the addition in order to avoid local overheating by the heat of the reaction. (If, after the ethyl malonate has been added to the sodium ethoxide, a considerable delay occurs before the iodine is added, the yield of the final product is markedly decreased.)... 

Now cork the flask securely, and shake it vigorously for about 5 minutes the solution should now have only a faint brown colour due to unchanged iodine. Cool the mixture in ice-water, pour it into a separating-funnel, and extract it twice with water to remove sodium iodide and most of the ethanol. Then shake the residual ethereal solution with a dilute aqueoussolution of sodium thiosulphate the excess of iodine is thus removed and the... 

No attempt is made to isolate the Grignard reagent from its ethereal solution before use. The reagent (usually also in ethereal solution) is added to the solution of the Grignard reagent, and when the reaction is complete the product is hydrolysed. 

The method of hydrolysis depends on the nature of the product. It is usually sufficient to add dilute sulphuric acid to the ethereal solution and to shake thoroughly, when the magnesium enters the aqueous solution, whilst the organic compound remains in the ether. Alternatively, however, the ethereal solution may be poured on to ice and water, and then treated with dilute sulphuric acid. Should the product be affected by this acid, the hydrolysis can be carried out with an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. In the following examples the hydrolysis is usually shown as a simple double decomposition... 

Now remove the flask from the water-bath, and slowly add a solution of 5 ml. (5-2 g.) of dry ethyl benzoate in 15 ml. of anhydrous ether down the condenser in small quantities at a time, mixing the contents of the flask thoroughly between each addition. When the boiling of the ether again subsides, return the flask to the water-bath and reheat for a further 15 minutes. Then cool the mixture in ice-water, and carefully pour off the ethereal solution into a mixture of about 60 ml. of dilute sulphuric acid. and 100 g. of crushed ice contained in a flask of about 500 ml. capacity fitted for stearn-distillation, taking care to leave behind any unchanged magnesium. 

Steam-distil the ethereal solution and discard the distillate. The residue in the flask is triphenyl-carbinol and solidifies on cooling. Filter at the pump, wash with water, drain and dry. Yield of crude product 0 6 g. Recrystallise when dry from benzene to obtain colourless crystals m.p. 162°. 

If no solid precipitate is obtained, an oil or an oily suspension, may be produced. Allow to stand, and then, if possible, separate the oil directly in a separating Tunnel and dry with solid KOH. If the volume of the oil is too small for such separation, extract with ether and then separate the ethereal solution, dry as before, filter, and distil off the ether. Distil the amine (if considered necessary) and identify. 

Attention is directed to the fact that ether is highly inflammable and also extremely volatile (b.p. 35°), and great care should be taken that there is no naked flame in the vicinity of the liquid (see Section 11,14). Under no circumstances should ether be distilled over a bare flame, but always from a steam bath or an electrically-heated water bath (Fig.//, 5,1), and with a highly efficient double surface condenser. In the author s laboratory a special lead-covered bench is set aside for distillations with ether and other inflammable solvents. The author s ether still consists of an electrically-heated water bath (Fig. 11, 5, 1), fitted with the usual concentric copper rings two 10-inch double surface condensers (Davies type) are suitably supported on stands with heavy iron bases, and a bent adaptor is fitted to the second condenser furthermost from the water bath. The flask containing the ethereal solution is supported on the water bath, a short fractionating column or a simple bent still head is fitted into the neck of the flask, and the stUl head is connected to the condensers by a cork the recovered ether is collected in a vessel of appropriate size. 

From the equation representing the chemical reaction involved, it is evident that 330 g. of silver maleate will theoretically react with 312 g. of ethyl iodide in ethereal solution to produce 172 g. of ethyl maleate. It follows, therefore, that 33 g. (0 1 mol) of silver maleate will react with 31-2 g. (0 2 mol) of ethyl iodide to give a theoretical yield of 17 2 g. (0-1 mol) of ethyl maleate. In practice, the actual yield found for these quantities is of the order of 16 0 g. the percentage yield is therefore (16 0/17-2) X 100 = 93 per cent. 

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