A mixture of 29.6 parts of acetylhydrazine, 48 parts of acetophenone and 140
parts of ethanol is heated under reflux for 18 hours and is then cooled to 20-25°C and filtered. The solid residue, M.P. 135-136°C, is washed with diethyl
ether and dried at 40°C. 28.5 parts of this dried product in 180 parts of
methanol is shaken in an atmosphere of hydrogen under a pressure of 100
atmospheres and at a temperature of 25°C in the presence of 3 parts of a 5%
palladium on carbon catalyst until the theoretical amount of hydrogen is
absorbed. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is evaporated. The residue is
fractionally distilled under reduced pressure and there is thus obtained 1-(α-
methylbenzyl)-2-acetylhydrazine, B.P. 182-186°C/15 mm, M.P. 72-74°C.
