Reaction Replacement of Halogen Atoms by Alcoholic Hydroxyl Groups

REACTION REPLACEMENT OF HALOGEN ATOMS BY ALCOHOLIC HYDROXYL GROUPS 

Example Ethylene Alcohol (Glycol) from Ethylene Bromide (a) Conversion of Ethylene Bromide into Glycoldiacetate 

If it is desired to increase the yield, the portion going over under 18o° is heated for three hours longer with potassium acetate. The product is then treated as above described- This causes an increase of about 15 grammes. 

1 Potassium acetate (Kalium aceticum pur. Ph. G. III.), differing from sodium acetate (compare page 127). crystallises without water of crystallisation. Nevertheless. for this experiment it must be heated to fusion over a free flame in an iron or nickel dish. The melted salt is poured into a shallow, flat iron or copper dish, in a thin layer. While slill warm it is pulverised as finely as possible, and must be at once transferred 10 a bottle which is to be kept tightly closed. For this expert ment 200 grammes of the salt are fused. 

The glycol formed is obtained by a vacuum distillation. For this purpose the flask is connected with a tube — in. in length, not too wide, and bent downwards it is inserted into a short condenser. A 50 c.c. fractionation flask, with the side tube near the bulb, is employed as the receiver. 

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