1911
Harmless
Posts: 13
Registered: 29-6-2011
Location: Finland
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Crotyl alcohol --> butyraldehyde?
At the moment I'm looking a most cost-effective synthesis for n-butanol and I think that crotonaldehyde would be way to go as it's produced from
acetaldehyde by fairly simple aldol condensation. This could be reduced with sodium borohydride forming crotyl alcohol. I'm wondering right now, if
crotyl alcohol is able to go through tautomerization (in any conditions) to butyraldehyde like vinyl alcohol to acetaldehyde or not. This
butyraldehyde could be then reduced by sodium borohydride. If there was some catalyst to accelerate the tautomerization, the whole thing from
crotonaldehyde to n-butanol could possibly be a one-pot synthesis.
I know that crotonaldehyde can be hydrogenated straight to the n-butanol but my economical situation doesn't allow the purchase of palladium metal.
Also I highly doubt my abilities to construct a working hydrogenation apparatus.
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Magpie
lab constructor
Posts: 5939
Registered: 1-11-2003
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Mood: Chemistry: the subtle science.
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Have you given any thought to the biosynthesis of n-butanol from sugar? I was going to try this at one time but I would have to buy the bacteria (not
expensive) and use anaerobic conditions.
Chaim Weizmann developed this technique because of a shortage of acetone during WWII if I remember correctly. n-butanol was a side product.
The single most important condition for a successful synthesis is good mixing - Nicodem
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1911
Harmless
Posts: 13
Registered: 29-6-2011
Location: Finland
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That could be rather interesting. Only I have no idea where to get such bacteria. How would one go obtaining clostridium beijerickii for instance. Are
there any companies supplying bacteria for others than laboratories, companies or universities in the first place.
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tmb
Harmless
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Registered: 25-2-2011
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You can buy it here if you are interested:
ttp://mistralni.co.uk/catalogue/product/147/n-Butanol-n-butyl-alcohol
They ship to Finland; but maybe you should ask to make sure, as it is listed as hazardous.
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