Some time ago I acquired a small jar of pyridine-2-aldehyde, about 50g, but it is solid instead of liquid. This is due to the fact that it polymerizes
in manor similar to acetaldehyde. The latter can be depolymerised by distillation with a little sulphuric acid.
Does anyone know if this is possible with the pyridine derivative or is it now completely useless? I shall probably have a go as I have little to lose
but some idea of the conditions would help.
I have checked out "The chemistry of pyridine and its derivatives" of which I have 4 volumes! but I can't find any reference to
polymerization/depolymerisation of the aldehyde. The only information I have been able to find is in my very old BDH catalogue (1987) in which it
state "polymerises on standing store below 4 C". There is no reference to depolymerisation in "The Purification of Laboratory chemicals" either.
Anybody even had experience of working with this compound?
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