Preparation of 13-oxabicyclo[10.3.0]pentadecane

摘要

This invention relates to the preparation of 13-oxabicyclo[10.3.0]pentadecane. More specifically, this invention relates to a process for preparing 13-oxabicyclo[10.3.0]pentadecane which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting cyclododecanone with elemental bromine in an organic solvent to form alpha -bromocyclododecanone; (b) reacting alpha -bromocyclododecanone with malonic acid dialkyl ester and alkali metal alcoholate to form the ketodiester 2-(2-oxocyclododec-1-yl)-malonic acid dialkyl ester; (c) hydrolyzing and decarboxylating the ketodiester from step (b) to from the corresponding 2-oxocyclododec-1-yl-acetic acid in an aqueous alkaline solution; (d) purifying the product of step (c) by extraction with an organic solvent and obtaining 2-oxocyclododec-1-yl-acetic acid; (e) reacting the product of step (d) with a lower alcohol to form a corresponding ester; (f) reducing the product of step (e) with a complex metallic hydride to form 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-cyclododecanol; and (g) heating the product of step (f) in the presence of an acid catalyst to form 13-oxabicyclo[10.3.0]pentadecane.