Naphthalene beta -naphthol

Reaction conditions naphthalene = 15 g naphth/H Oj = 3 mole acetonitrile = 15 g reaction time = 8 h A= beta naphthol B = alpha naphthol C = naphthaquinones D = phthalic anhydride. 

The action of steam on a-naphthalenesulfonic acid similarly yields naphthalene. Practically all aromatic sulfonic acids may be hydrolyzed with mineral acids to the parent hydrocarbons, but each sulfonic acid requires a specific minimiim temperature. a-Naphthalenesulfonic acid hydrolyzes at a much lower temperature than the beta compound. However, the beta compound with fused caustic acts quite like the corresponding benzenesulfonic acid to give /3-naphthol, sodium sulfite, and water. Under certain conditions, steam may replace the more expensive fused caustic alkalies in the hydrolysis of aromatic sulfonates that are volatile with steam ... 

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