[lukas.stib]

Hello chemists,

can I use ethyl acetate and not ether when extracting menthone from solution? I enclose a synthesis of menthone. I´m affraid of diethyl ether.

Thank you, Lukáš S.

[wildfyr]

The problem is that ethyl acetate can be hydrolyzed by the sulfuric acid. You could possibly use toluene instead, but its a little harder to evaporate.

[Babcock_Hall]

What about using methyl tert-butyl ether?

[rolnor]

I dont really understand why you are afraid of ether? Its a super solvent for extractions in many cases. You wash with NaOH, this can react with EtOAc. You can use DCM.

[lukas.stib]

Because diethyl ether is very explosive. Methyl tet buthyl ether I haven´t. DCM is good for ectraction?

[rolnor]

I think you should try to understand that ether is available with additives that inhibit peroxide formation, its not explosive. Also today we normaly dont use open flame lika Bunsen-burner så there is no danger with ether.
Yes, DCM is good.

[lukas.stib]

OK, thank you very, very much.

[Babcock_Hall]

Based on its structure, I would predict that MTBE is less prone to forming peroxides than diethyl ether is.  I have not done a rigorous search in the literature, however.

[lukas.stib]

Will DCM not affect NaOH washes?

[Babcock_Hall]

In what way?