Inventors:
Marc Halfon - Plainsboro NJ
William G. Scharpf - Yardley PA
International Classification:
C07C 69743
Abstract:
3-Phenoxybenzyl 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate is prepared in greater than 90% yield by alcoholysis of lower alkyl 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylates with 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol. A lower alkyl alcohol, e. g. , methanol or ethanol, is generated as a by-product. The process is conducted under reflux at a temperature of at least 100. degree. C. in an inert solvent between approximately stoichiometric amounts of the reactants. The solvent is selected to form an azeotropic mixture with, or boil at a higher temperature than, the lower alkyl alcohol by-product, and the by-product is removed from the mixture by distillation as it is produced. If lower alkyl is methyl or ethyl, n-octane, benzene, toluene, xylene, or mesitylene may be employed, for example. The process is promoted by lower alkyl titanium alkoxide catalysts.
