2- Ethyl-l-hydroxy

A mixmre of acetaldoxime (20.0 g, 0.34 mol) and butanedione monoxime (34.2 g, 0.34 mol) is warmed to give a homogeneous solution, then allowed to stand at room temperature (2 days), refluxed (1 h), cooled, and diluted with diethyl ether (500 ml). The product precipitates as a tan solid (30.4 g, 63%), m.p. 194 C (dec.). Similarly prepared in 65% yield is 2-ethyl-l-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylimidazole 3-oxide. 

Oxidation of 2-ethyl-l-hydroxy-2,5,5-trimethyl-3-oxazolidine (Spin generation)... 

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