The Synthetic Routes of 2-(2-chlorophenyl)cyclohexanone

In the chemical industry, the synthetic routes of a particular compound are the methods used to create that compound in the laboratory.
The synthetic routes of 2-(2-chlorophenyl)cyclohexanone, also known as chlorphenylcyclohexanone, are numerous and vary in complexity and efficiency.
This article will examine some of the most common synthetic routes used to produce chlorphenylcyclohexanone, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

One of the most common methods for synthesizing chlorphenylcyclohexanone involves the reaction of 2-chlorophenyl acetate with cyclohexanone in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, such as aluminum chloride.
This reaction is known as the Michelet reaction and it typically yields a yield of 70-80%.
The reaction occurs in two steps: first, the acetate group is replaced by the cyclohexanone, forming an intermediate which then undergoes dehydration to form the final product.

Another common synthetic route involves the reaction of 2-chlorophenylamine with 2-chlorotoluene in the presence of a solvent such as ether.
This reaction is known as the Thomas-Smith reaction and it typically yields a yield of 60-70%.
The reaction occurs in two steps: first, the amine is nitrated to form the corresponding nitrate, which then undergoes a condensation reaction with the 2-chlorotoluene to form the final product.

A third synthetic route involves the reaction of 2-chlorophenol with chloroform in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, such as ferric chloride.
This reaction is known as the Leuckart reaction and it typically yields a yield of 60-70%.
The reaction occurs in two steps: first, the phenol is treated with the chloroform to form an intermediate triphenylmethane compound, which then undergoes a substitution reaction to form the final product.

Other synthetic routes for chlorphenylcyclohexanone include the use of other nitrating agents such as nitric acid, or the use of other solvents such as carbon disulfide or benzene.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Synthetic Routes

There are several advantages to the synthetic routes described above.
First, they typically yield high yields of the final product, which means that they are efficient and cost-effective.
Second, they use safe and readily available reagents, which makes them easy to implement in the laboratory.

However, there are also some disadvantages to these synthetic routes.
One of the main disadvantages is that some of the reagents used, such as Lewis acids, can be hazardous to handle and require special precautions to avoid accidents.
Additionally, some of the steps involved in these reactions can be complex and time-consuming, which can increase the cost and difficulty of the synthesis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several synthetic routes available for the synthesis of chlorphenylcyclohexanone, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The most common methods involve the use of reagents such as 2-chlorophenyl acetate, 2-chlorophenylamine, and 2-chlorophenol, and include the Michelet reaction, Thomas-Smith reaction, and Leuckart reaction.
These methods typically yield high yields of the final product and use safe and readily available reagents, but can be complex and require special handling precautions.
The choice of synthetic route will depend on the specific needs and resources of the laboratory.