Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Using Ketenes and uV to form benzylketones from alkbenzenes

Rxogue - 18-11-2018 at 16:19

A friend and I brainstormed this but I have been unable to find any corresponding literature on the subject and want a few second opinions before I go bubbling ethenone through stuff.

The proposed experiment was to pass condensed ethenone gas in an inert atmosphere through Toluene exposed to direct uV ( I.e. halogen floodlight with filter removed) to form phenylacetone. We haven't been able to come up with a terribly large list of reasons why this isn't at least feasible.

DavidJR - 18-11-2018 at 16:31

I have no idea if that would work or not, but please be incredibly careful with ketene, it's nasty stuff.

Rxogue - 18-11-2018 at 16:46

We've worked with it before. But I agree. It's convenient enough for it to be worth the drawbacks though