The Darzens condensation. Part I. Effect of substituents on the acid-catalysed Darzens condensation

Abstract

Darzens condensations of several p-substituted phenacyl halides with benzaldehydes have been effected in ethanol, with hydrogen chloride as catalyst. The condensation is also catalysed by sulphuric acid and by phosphoric acid in ethanol. From the yields of the epoxy-ketones, qualitative conclusions have been drawn regarding the influence of the substituents on the condensation. The effect of the substituents in the benzaldehyde is the opposite of that found in the acid-catalysed aldol condensation.