Phenylacetone (P2P) synthesis from 1-phenyl-2-nitropropene (P2NP) via FeCl3

[PNicole]

This reaction works well in water only. What is the purpose of the toluene? Once HCl is added, basify using 50% NaOH solution (contents will urn blueish). You do not need a baking soda wash if done that way. Flood the flask with water and steam distill the P2P. It will be clear/slightly yellow as it distills. Once neon orange color is coming over, its more than done. Use DCM to extract P2P from water, dry and remove with distillation. Apply vacuum and distill pure P2P. Surprisingly this reaction works better at larger scale in the 81-87% yield if things are tweaked. Lower scale you achieve 73-75% (not very good) to 77-78%.

You also do not need 5-6 hours to add Acid.

 

[Alchemik]

Is this good method to receive substituted 2-phenylethylamines from nitrostyrenes? Zn/HCl is good, but you have to add Zn gradually. At this method you add all substrates immediately (in one time) and waiting.

 

[choose]

Is this good method to receive substituted 2-phenylethylamines from nitrostyrenes? Zn/HCl is good, but you have to add Zn gradually. At this method you add all substrates immediately (in one time) and waiting.

AlchemikI was reading about using zn in this reaction.As far as I know, You have to crush cleaned p2np crystals to make fine powder and mix it with zinc powder in a certain proportion and then add in parts to RF, like when you add hcl when using Fe powder. I want to try this alternative because I dont have overhead stirrer with matching ptfe plug. Has anyone tried this before?

 

[T0lek511]

Can I use 1.5ml of 40% aqueous FeCl3 solution instead of 0.6g of solid FeCl3? In my country, only the aqueous solution is available to the average citizen.