Org. Synth. 1952, 32, 59
DOI: 10.15227/orgsyn.032.0059
5,5-DIMETHYL-2-PYRROLIDONE
[2-Pyrrolidinone, 5,5-dimethyl-]
Submitted by R. B. Moffett
1
Checked by N. J. Leonard, W. E. Smith, and B. L. Ryder.
1. Procedure
To a solution of
148 g. (0.845 mole) of methyl γ-methyl-γ-nitrovalerate (p.652) in
500 ml. of commercial absolute ethanol (total volume about 632 ml.) in a
2.5-l. rocking high-pressure bomb is added
12.5–25.0 g. (Note 1) of W-52 Raney nickel catalyst
(Note 2), previously rinsed with absolute
ethanol. The bomb head and fittings are placed in position, including a thermocouple attached to a semi-automatic heating control (Micromax).
Hydrogen is introduced into the bomb until the pressure reaches 1000 1b. per sq. in.
(Note 3).
The bomb is rocked and the temperature of the solution is raised carefully to 55° during the course of 0.5–1.0 hour (Note 4). The hydrogen uptake begins at 40–51°, and during the reaction period the temperature is held at 55–60°. The rate of pressure drop is 50–100 lb. per sq. in. each 15 minutes. The rocking of the bomb is continued, and the temperature is maintained at 60° until the pressure reading is constant for 1 hour, in order to ensure completion of the reaction.
After the bomb has been cooled the contents are removed and allowed to stand until the catalyst has settled (Note 5). The mixture is filtered, and the filtrate is transferred to a Claisen flask placed in an oil bath. The solvent is removed by distillation at atmospheric pressure, and the oil-bath temperature is raised to 200°. After temporary cooling, the residue in the flask is distilled under reduced pressure. The 5,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone boils at 126.5–128.5°/12 mm. and solidifies in the receiver. The yield is 84–92 g. (88–96%); m.p. 42–43° (Note 6).
2. Notes
1.
It is unnecessary and may in fact be dangerous to use a larger amount of catalyst.
2.
The checkers have found that
commercial grade Raney nickel (Gilman Paint and Varnish Company) is a satisfactory substitute for W-5 catalyst. The yields obtained with the two catalysts are identical, but the hydrogenation requires 2–3 hours with commercial catalyst compared with 1–1.5 hours for W-5 catalyst.
3.
The theoretically required drop in
hydrogen pressure for a free space of 1868 ml. and equivalent to 2.535 moles of
hydrogen is 507 lb. per sq. in. The theoretical pressure drop will vary with the free space when bombs of different capacity are used. The observed pressure drop usually exceeds the theoretical by about 10%.
4.
Since batches of
Raney nickel may vary in activity, caution must be exercised during the heating period. The temperature should not exceed 60° at any time.
5.
Filtration through Hiflo Super-Cel (Johns-Manville Company) speeds the operation but lowers the final yield.
6.
The product can be recrystallized from
petroleum ether (b.p.
30–38°).
3. Discussion
5,5-Dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone has been prepared by the hydrolysis of
5-imino-2,2-dimethylpyrrolidine in the presence of
Raney nickel3 or by the hydrogenation of
5-amino-2,2-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide in the presence of
Raney nickel.
3 The preparation by this method has been published.
4
This preparation is referenced from:
Appendix
Chemical Abstracts Nomenclature (Collective Index Number);
(Registry Number)
petroleum ether
ethanol (64-17-5)
hydrogen (1333-74-0)
Raney nickel (7440-02-0)
5,5-Dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone,
2-Pyrrolidinone, 5,5-dimethyl- (5165-28-6)
5-amino-2,2-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide
5-imino-2,2-dimethylpyrrolidine
Methyl γ-methyl-γ-nitrovalerate (16507-02-1)
Copyright © 1921-, Organic Syntheses, Inc. All Rights Reserved