Synthesis of Epihalohydrins by Dehydrohalogenation of Glycerol Dihalohydrins–Utilization of a Basic Ion-Exchange Resin

Abstract

Dehydrohalogenation of a mixture of glycerol 1,3- and 2,3-dihalohydrins by a strong basic ion-exchange resin (IRA 440 and A 26) at room temperature in an organic medium quantitatively leads to the corresponding epihalohydrin (1a; X = Cl), and (1b; X = Br) in a very short reaction time. Hydrolysis of the epihalohydrin does not occur under these conditions.