A flask containing 15 gm (0.5 mole) of paraformaldehyde, 74 gm (1.0 mole) of η-butyl alcohol, and 2.0 gm of anhydrous ferric chloride is refluxed for 10 hr. The lower layer of 3-4 ml of material is discarded and then 50 ml of 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution is added to remove the ferric chloride as ferric hydroxide. The product is shaken with a mixture of 40 ml of 20% hydrogen peroxide and 5 ml of 10% sodium carbonate solution at 45°C in order to remove any remaining aldehyde. The product is also washed with water, dried, and distilled from excess sodium metal to afford 62 gm (78%).
