Abstract
To develop an economically viable process for the synthesis of dibenzyl ether, the reaction of benzyl chloride with aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of phase-transfer catalysts has been investigated. The effects of agitation speed, catalyst type and concentration, reaction temperature, mole ratio of reactants, concentration of aqueous sodium hydroxide on the conversion of benzyl chloride, and yield of dibenzyl ether have been evaluated. Tributylamine is found to be a suitable catalyst. The reaction is favored by high molar ratio of sodium hydroxide to benzyl chloride. Conversion of benzyl chloride to benzyl alcohol is found to be the rate-controlling step at high sodium hydroxide concentration. Deprotonation of benzyl alcohol at the interphase by aqueous sodium hydroxide is a key step in the formation of dibenzyl ether. The yield of dibenzyl ether is dependent on the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous phase, the yield being almost 100% at high concentrations of sodium hydroxide. The successful recycle of excess NaOH in the aqueous phase in subsequent batches, without affecting the progress of the reaction, has been demonstrated.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
