A Convenient One-step Preparation of Oxacyclanes by Dehydration of Diols over Alumina

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.53.3031

Dehydration of 1,4-, 1,5-, or 1,6- alkanediols over alumina at 220-250 deg C in a distillation apparatus gave the corresponding 5- to 7-membered oxacyclanes in good yield of 51-71percent.Diethylene glycol also gave 1,4-dioxane in 49percent yield, whereas attempted one-step synthesis of crown ethers from polyethylene glycols in a similar manner resulted in the predominant formation of 1,4-dioxane without any trace of crown ether.