5-ethoxybenzene-1,3-diol

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

Procedure: 2 g of phloroglucinol monoethyl ether are stirred in 100 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid (35%) at room temperature for 2 days. The mixture is then partially neutralised (pH 2-3) with aqueous sodium carbonate solution, the precipitated sodium chloride is filtered off and the filtrate is extracted with 150 ml of ether in a Kutscher-Steudel extractor for 18 hours. The ether extract is dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated, there being obtained 1.4 g to 1.55 g (86% to 95%) of phloroglucinol which has a melting point of 209°-210° C. after recrystallisation from water. the precipitated sodium chloride is filtered off the filtrate is extracted with 150 ml of ether in a Kutscher-Steudel extractor for 18 hours The ether extract is dried over sodium sulphate concentrated