CH183200A - Process for the preparation of an alkylresorcin. - Google Patents

Description

  

      Process for the preparation of an alkyl resorcinol. The present invention relates to a process for preparing an alkylresorcinol.



  It has already been proposed to prepare primary alkyl resorcins by treating the resorcin with a fatty acid, a fatty acid chloride or a fatty acid anhydride in the presence of a concentrating agent, and reducing then the resulting acetone.



  The invention is based on the remark that secondary alkylresorcins, in which the alkyl group contains at least seven carbon atoms, cannot be prepared by pa. the usual processes used for the production of primary alkyl resorcins, but which can be readily obtained by direct condensation of the resorcinol with an alcohol or an alkyl halide which has the desired number and arrangement of carbon atoms.



  According to the process which is the subject of the present patent, an alkylresorcin is prepared by condensing in equimolar proportions of the resorcinol with n-octan-2-ol in the presence of a condensing agent. In carrying out the invention, the reaction is preferably carried out at an elevated temperature, in the presence of a condensing agent, such as, for example, zinc chloride, the water formed during the reaction being continuously withdrawn. The final product can, if desired, be subjected to purification, for example by fractional distillation.



       Example: A mixture of 100 g of re sorcine, 25 g of n-octan-2-ol and 10 g of zinc chloride is heated to 150 ° C. until the water separates out by distillation. A further quantity of n-octan-2-ol is added slowly at the desired rate to correspond to the separation of the water by distillation. The oil which separates with the water is constantly brought back to the mixture subjected to the reaction using a water separator.

   After a total of 80 g of n-octan-2-ol has been added, the reaction is allowed to continue for one hour, after which the temperature is raised to 200 ° C, when the heating is stopped. The resulting oil is washed with water and distilled, the fraction boiling at 190-2.10 ° C (3 mm) being collected. The distillate is an oil which is colorless or may have a pale yellow color. It is hardly soluble in water, but easily soluble in aqueous alkali solutions and in most organic solvents such as alcohol, acetone, glycerin, benzene, acetic acid and ethyl acetate.



  The novel secondary octyl resorcinol prepared according to the invention possesses good germicidal and antiseptic properties combined with substantially non-toxicity. It can be incorporated into various solutions, jellies, pastilles or other vehicles in the proportions of up to five parts of alkyl resorcinol per thousand parts of the vehicle, and in special preparations for internal treatment, it can be used under higher concentrations and even in the pure state.



  The secondary octyl resorcinol obtained according to the method described can also be used other than as a remedy. For example, it can be used as an intermediate in the preparation of coloring matters and products to be cleaned, and in the synthesis of other organic compounds.

 

Claims (1)

CLAIM: Process for the preparation of an alkylresorcin, characterized in that the resorcinol is condensed in equimolecular proportions with n-octan-2-ol in the presence of a condensing agent. The product is hardly soluble in water and easily soluble in aqueous alkali solutions and in most organic solvents such as alcohol, acetone, glycerin, benzine, acetic acid and ethyl acetate. SUB-CLAIM: Process according to claim, characterized in that the condensation is carried out at an elevated temperature by continuously removing the water formed during the reaction.