Mercurial ether

A 1500 ml. flask is fitted (preferably by means of a three-necked adaptor) with a rubber-sleeved or mercury-sealed stirrer (Fig. 20, p. 39), a reflux water-condenser, and a dropping-funnel cf. Fig. 23(c), p. 45, in which only a two-necked adaptor is shown or Fig. 23(G)). The dried zinc powder (20 g.) is placed in the flask, and a solution of 28 ml. of ethyl bromoacetate and 32 ml. of benzaldehyde in 40 ml. of dry benzene containing 5 ml. of dry ether is placed in the dropping-funnel. Approximately 10 ml. of this solution is run on to the zinc powder, and the mixture allowed to remain unstirred until (usually within a few minutes) a vigorous reaction occurs. (If no reaction occurs, warm the mixture on the water-bath until the reaction starts.) The stirrer is now started, and the rest of the solution allowed to run in drop-wise over a period of about 30 minutes so that the initial reaction is steadily maintained. The flask is then heated on a water-bath for 30 minutes with continuous stirring, and is then cooled in an ice-water bath. The well-stirred product is then hydrolysed by the addition of 120 ml. of 10% sulphuric acid. The mixture is transferred to a separating-funnel, the lower aqueous layer discarded, and the upper benzene layer then... 

Some liquids are practically immiscible e.g., water and mercury), whilst others e.g., water and ethyl alcohol or acetone) mix with one another in all proportions. Many examples are known, however, in which the liquids are partially miscible with one another. If, for example, water be added to ether or if ether be added to water and the mixture shaken, solution will take place up to a certain point beyond this point further addition of water on the one hand, or of ether on the other, will result in the formation of two liquid layers, one consisting of a saturated solution of water in ether and the other a saturated solution of ether in water. Two such mutually saturated solutions in equilibrium at a particular temperature are called conjugate solutions. It must be mentioned that there is no essential theoretical difference between liquids of partial and complete miscibility for, as wdll be shown below, the one may pass into the other with change of experimental conditions, such as temperature and, less frequently, of pressure. 

Magnesium haUde and alkyl magnesium haUde precipitate and the alkyl magnesium compound remains in solution. Filtration (qv) followed by drying the filtrate yields soHd magnesium alkyl (11). Another preparation method is that of metal exchange using mercury alkyl in ether. 

The covalent character of mercury compounds and the corresponding abiUty to complex with various organic compounds explains the unusually wide solubihty characteristics. Mercury compounds are soluble in alcohols, ethyl ether, benzene, and other organic solvents. Moreover, small amounts of chemicals such as amines, ammonia (qv), and ammonium acetate can have a profound solubilizing effect (see COORDINATION COMPOUNDS). The solubihty of mercury and a wide variety of mercury salts and complexes in water and aqueous electrolyte solutions has been well outlined (5). 

SuIfona.tlon, Sulfonation is a common reaction with dialkyl sulfates, either by slow decomposition on heating with the release of SO or by attack at the sulfur end of the O—S bond (63). Reaction products are usually the dimethyl ether, methanol, sulfonic acid, and methyl sulfonates, corresponding to both routes. Reactive aromatics are commonly those with higher reactivity to electrophilic substitution at temperatures > 100° C. Tn phenylamine, diphenylmethylamine, anisole, and diphenyl ether exhibit ring sulfonation at 150—160°C, 140°C, 155—160°C, and 180—190°C, respectively, but diphenyl ketone and benzyl methyl ether do not react up to 190°C. Diphenyl amine methylates and then sulfonates. Catalysis of sulfonation of anthraquinone by dimethyl sulfate occurs with thaHium(III) oxide or mercury(II) oxide at 170°C. Alkyl interchange also gives sulfation. 

Dithiols, like diols, have been protected as 5,5 -methylene, 5,5 -isopropylidene, and 5,5 -benzylidene derivatives, formed by reaction of the dithiol with formaldehyde, acetone, or benzaldehyde, respectively. The methylene and benzylidene derivatives are cleaved by reduction with sodium/ammonia. The isopropylidene and benzylidene derivatives are cleaved by mercury(II) chloride with sodium/ ammonia the isopropylidene derivative is converted to a monothio ether, HSCHR-CHRSCHMe2- ... 

A 3-I. three-necked, round-bottom flask is fitted with a mechanical stirrer through a mercury seal, a reflux condenser and a i-l. separatory funnel. A mixture of 200 g. (r mole) of 2,3-dibromopropene (Org. Syn. 5, 49) and 200 cc. of dry ether is added. The flask is now cooled in an ice bath, the stirrer is started, and one molecular equivalent of cyclohexylmagnesium bromide, prepared from 31 g. of magnesium, 204 g. of cyclohexyl bromide and 400 cc. of dry ether (Note i) is added at such a rate that the mixture refluxes gently (Note 2). The addition takes about one-half to three-quarters of an hour. Two layers are formed and magnesium bromide may or may not separate. 

In a i-l. three-necked, round-bottom flask fitted with a mechanical stirrer through a mercury seal, a separatory funnel and an efficient reflux condenser to which a calcium chloride tube is attached, are placed 25 g. (1.03 moles) of magnesium turnings 140 cc. of dry ether, and a small crystal of iodine. The stirrei is started and a small portion (about 10 cc.) of a solution of 118.5 g. (i mole) of cyclohexyl bromide (Note i) in 120 cc. of dry ether is added through the separatory funnel. After the reaction starts, the remainder of the solution is run in at such a rate that the whole is added at the end of forty-five minutes. The mixture is stirred and refluxed for an additional thirty to forty-five minutes. 

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