The Synthesis of α, ω-Disubstituted Higher Alkanes from α, α, α, ω-Tetrachloroalkanes

Abstract

Abstract Higher ω-chloroalkanoic acids than ω-chlorooctanoic acid were prepared in good yields (over 90%) by improved methods of the hydrolysis of α, α, α, ω-tetrachloroalkanes. The reactions were carried out in fuming nitric acid, with the addition of nitrogen dioxide during the reaction or in the presence of a small amount of phosphoric anhydride. α, ω-Dichloroalkanes were derived from the ω-chloroalkanoic acids by the Kolbe electrolytic synthesis. Various other novel α, ω-disubstituted alkanes with very long methylene chains, such as glycols, dinitriles, dicar-boxylic acids, and diamines, were also prepared starting from the tetrachloroalkanes.