FEMA 2129

Occurrence

Has apparently not been reported to occur in nature

Preparation

The α, α?- and α, β-isomers are obtained in mixture by heating glycerol and benzaldehyde to 145 to 170°C under a stream of CO2; the isomers are subsequently isolated, exploiting the solubility differences; the α, α?-isomer is readily converted to the α, β-form by heating in the presence of HCl.

Production Methods

Benzaldehyde glycrol acetal can be produced from Benzaldehyde and Glycerin by condensation, using Phosphoric acid as a catalyst, and making use of azeotropic distillation to remove reaction water. Also by heating Glycerol and Benzaldehyde in CO2 atmosphere to 150°C. The 1,3-isomer is crystallizable and may be separated.