2,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: 28.0 g (0.2 mol) of dimedone were dissolved in 150 ml of absolute t-butanol and, at 40° C., 22.4 g (0.2 mol) of potassium t-butoxide were added a little at a time. After 2 hours, an equimolar amount of methyl iodide was added. After a further 2 hours, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue which remained was extracted 3 times with diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts were evaporated to dryness. Yield: 26.2 g (85%). The crude product was not purified further. After a further 2 hours the solvent was removed under reduced pressure the residue which remained was extracted 3 times with diethyl ether The combined ether extracts were evaporated to dryness The crude product was not purified further