AbstractsChemistry

The condensation of acetaldehyde with a variety of aromatic and heterocyclic ring compounds in the presence of sulphuric acid has been studied to determine its versatility as a method for the synthesis of unsymmetrically disubstituted ethanes. Such ethanes are source materials for vinyl compounds, useful for the manufacture of synthetic rubbers and plastics. A number of new compounds have been reported and a number of older syntheses have been improved. In general, it has been found that benzene, alkyland alkoxyl-substituted benzenes give satisfactory yields of ethanes, whereas the more reactive phenols, amines, and heterocyclic compounds give only resinous products, and the less reactive halogenated benzenes, nitrobenzene, benzoic acid, and fused-ring aromatics fail to react. Some preliminary work has been carried out with catalysts other than sulphuric acid.