To this vigorously stirred solution is added slowly a solution of
44.5 g. (0.20 mole) of benzalphthalide2 in
400 ml. of dry benzene. After about half of this solution has been added, the
magnesium complex begins to separate; it hinders the stirring somewhat. When all the phthalide solution has been admitted (about 1 hour), the reflux condenser is replaced by a still head carrying a
thermometer and attached to a
condenser set for downward distillation. The bulk of the solvent is then removed; this requires about 30 minutes, the temperature of the vapor remaining at 50° for about half this time and rising to about 65° toward the end. About 220–230 ml. of distillate is obtained. The flask and contents are then immersed in an
ice bath, and the
magnesium complex is decomposed by the slow addition of a cold solution of
15 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid in 300 ml. of water (Note
1) with rapid stirring. The upper
benzene layer is separated and transferred to a
1-l. Claisen flask, and the solvent is removed by distillation from a
steam bath; this requires about 4 hours. The residual thick red syrup is transferred to a
125-ml. Claisen flask with a wide side arm set up for vacuum distillation. The residue is heated under a pressure of about 10 mm. to remove all low-boiling material (Note
2) and then is distilled under reduced pressure. The fraction boiling at 215–255°/6 mm. (195–220°/1 mm.) is collected, most of the distillate coming over at 235–240°/6 mm. The distillate is dissolved in
50 ml. of boiling benzene,
200 ml. of hot 95% ethanol is added, and the solution is chilled in an ice bath for 2 hours. The red, crystalline
2,3-diphenylindone is collected on a filter, washed with
50 ml. of cold 95% ethanol, and air-dried. The yield is
34–40 g. (
60–71%) of red crystals melting at
149–151° (Note
3) and (Note
4).