1.
This procedure was reported by J. J. Kucera and D. C. Carpenter.1,2
2.
These data were obtained by the checkers. The submitters report conversion of 76–80% after only 9 hr. It seems likely that the rate of the reaction may be sensitive to the dimensions and mechanical features of the chlorine introduction system, and/or an induction period. It is easy and important to monitor the process.
3.
trans-2,3-Dichloro-1,4-dioxane has the following spectra: IR (CCl4) cm−1: 2990, 2940, 2885, 1455, 1385, 1375, 1337, 1160, 1115, 1032, 900, 875, 670; 1H NMR (CCl4)2b δ: 3.40–4.57 (AA'BB', 4 H, CH2), 5.95 (s, 2 H, ClCHO).
4.
The yields of this reaction are very sensitive to the presence of traces of moisture and to the ratio of reagents. If one works without a nitrogen atmosphere and with tert-butyl alcohol that has not been previously dried over calcium hydride, with a 1 : 10 ratio of dichloro derivative/alcohol, the yields drop to 65%.
5.
Caution should be exercised in evaporation of the ether, as the di-tert-butoxy compounds are appreciably volatile at reduced pressure. If a rotary evaporator is used for the concentration, the water bath should be kept at or below room temperature, and the residue should not be pumped after it is clear that the bulk of the ether has been evaporated.
6.
The crystalline trans isomer epimerizes in chloroform solution to give a nearly 70 : 30 mixture of cis and trans isomers. The trans isomer, mp 106–107°C, shows the following spectroscopic properties: IR (KBr) cm−1: 3450, 2980, 2935, 2890, 1445, 1390, 1370, 1335, 1280, 1260, 1200, 1135, 1105, 1060, 1045, 1035, 1020, 910, 855, 780; 1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 1.27 (s, 9 H, CH3), 3.33–4.13 (ABCD + OH, 4 H + 1 H) 4.57 (br, 2 H, OCHO). Anal. calcd. for C8H16O4: C, 54.53; H, 9.15. Found: C, 54.53; H, 9.29.
7.
trans-2,3-di-tert-butoxy-1,4-dioxane has the following spectra: IR (CCl4) cm−1: 2975, 2930, 1390, 1367, 6523, 1145, 1100, 1060, 1040, 857; 1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 1.19 (s, 18 H, CH3), 3.05–4.20 (m, AA'BB', 4 H, CH2), 4.30 (s, 2 H, OCHO). cis- + trans-2,3-Di-tert-butoxy-1,4-dioxane have the following additional signals: IR (CCl4) cm−1: 1170, 1130, 1120, 1080, 1020, 1000, 960, 879; 1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 4.43 (s, 2 H, OCHO, cis).
8.
The peaks corresponding to 2,3-di-tert-butoxy-1,4-dioxane overlap with those of the methylene protons of 2-chloroethyl dichlorophosphate, a by-product from the reaction, but the absence of the acetal protons of the starting material is clear from the symmetry of the multiplet.
9.
The solution is thick at −78°C. Dilution with additional hexane may be necessary.
10.
The end of the reaction can be easily detected because, when all of the 2-chloroethyl dichlorophosphate has been destroyed, the reaction mixture does not crackle any more when condensed ammonia drops on the stirred mixture, or, much more easily, when the reaction mixture becomes basic to pH paper.
11.
The crude reaction mixture is, in fact, an approximately 30 : 70 mixture of dl- and meso-1,2-di-tert-butoxy-1,2-dichloroethane. Although the 1H NMR spectrum at 60 MHz (CCl4) shows only one singlet at 5.6 ppm, the 200-MHz spectrum (CDCl3) shows two sharp singlets separated by 1.8 Hz. The pure meso compound could be isolated by crystallization and purified by sublimation at 40°C/0.05 mm; mp 77–78° (dec). The spectra are as follows: IR (CCl4) cm−1: 2975, 2925, 1470, 1458, 1390, 1368, 1310, 1250, 1180, 1130, 1025, 850, 650; 1H NMR at 200 MHz (CDCl3) δ: 1.36 (s, 9 H, CH3), 5.73 (s, 1 H, OCHCl).
12.
In later fractions, small amounts (0.2–0.5%) of (Z)-1,2-di-tert-butoxy-1-chloroethane have been detected: 1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 1.25 (s, 9 H, CH3), 1.33 (s, 9, H, CH3), 6.03 (s, 1 H, = CH).
13.
(E)-1,2-Di-tert-butoxy-1-chloroethene has the following properties: nD25 1.4410–1.4415; UV (cylohexane): 217.7 nm (log ε = 3.7); IR (CCl4) cm−1: 2972, 1670, 1470, 1390, 1366, 1290, 1260, 1240, 1180, 1140, 1070, 1025, 935; 1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 1.26 (s, 9 H, CH3), 1.33 (s, 9 H, CH3), 5.91 (s, 1 H, = CH).
14.
The stirring bar must be glass-covered, since sodium in ammonia solution attacks Teflon.
15.
The method used for the preparation of sodium amide is a modification of the procedure described by Nieuwland et al.5 In a 3-L, three-necked, round-bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirring bar (Note 14), a dry-ice condenser protected from moisture by a potassium hydroxide tube, and an inlet tube connected to the ammonia cylinder, is condensed 500 mL of liquid ammonia. A slow stream of dry oxygen is initiated through the inlet tube and 11.5 g (0.5 mol) of sodium in small pieces is slowly introduced. The addition of sodium requires 4–5 hr, since the blue color must be discharged before each new addition of sodium. In this way, a completely white suspension of sodium amide is obtained, which allows the formation of crude di-tert-butoxyethyne, free from any iron impurities.
16.
It is best to minimize exposure of di-tert-butoxyethyne to light.
17.
Eventually, if a more concentrated solution of (E)-1,2-di-tert-butoxy-1-chloroethene in ether is used, the formation of 1,2,3-tri-tert-butoxy-3-cyano-1-propene [1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 6.05 (s, 1 H), 4.98 (s, 1 H), 1.28 (br, 27 H)] and 1,2,3-tri-tert-butoxy-1-cyano-1-propene [1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 4.03 (s, 2 H), 1.28 (b, 27 H)] is observed. The by-products may be eliminated by column chromatography on neutral alumina (40 g, 100–125 mesh, activity 1), using a column refrigerated at 0°C and protected from the light, and eluting with pentane under nitrogen pressure. From the first 750 mL of eluant, 9–12 g of pure di-tert-butoxyethyne is obtained.
18.
Di-tert-butoxyethyne has the following properties: nD25 1.4365; IR (CCl4) cm−1: 2972, 2922, 1470, 1450, 1390, 1367, 1301, 1263, 1245, 1150, 825; 1H NMR (CCl4) δ: 1.31 (s, CH3).