Petroleum sulfone as solvent in the synthesis of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one from 1-chloro-3-methyl-2-butene

The adoption of petroleum sulfone as a solvent in the synthesis of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one from 1-chloro-3-methyl-2-butene was investigated. Results show its power isefficient. The yield of the product was 52% in the presence of the sulfone instead of27% at its absence. In addition, the yield may further be raised to 62% by using aphase transfer catalyst and a small amount of water at the same time.