2-(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol

Uses

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthesis

113967-50-3

4704-94-3

The general procedure for the synthesis of 2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol using the compound (CAS:113967-50-3) as starting material was as follows: the white powder (360 g, 0.86 mol) obtained in step (2) was dissolved in methanol (2L), followed by the addition of sodium methanolate (139 g, 2.58 mol). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux and kept for 20 hours. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by evaporation. The residue was washed twice with chloroform and the organic phases were combined. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The concentrated product was crystallized in isobutanol to give 82 g of white powdered 2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol in 90% yield.

References