Sciencemadness Discussion Board

hydrolysis of Dilauryl Thiodipropionate

DieForelle - 30-8-2014 at 04:35

Dilauryl Thiodipropionate is a diester of lauryl alcohol and 3, 3'-thiodipropionic acid. Can anyone suggest a simple way to hydrolyze it back into a mixture of lauryl alcohol and 3, 3'-thiodipropionic acid? The stuff I have is a few years old, so might have undergone some anyhow. Since the 3, 3'-thiodipropionic acid is soluble in hot water (none of the other components are) I'm wondering if I just boil some, and filter the non-soluble parts, then let it cool, a tiny bit of 3, 3'-thiodipropionic acid could precipitate out? That's what I'm after, not the lauryl alcohol.

Metacelsus - 30-8-2014 at 06:57

Saponification (treating with sodium of potassium hydroxide) should give the salt of the acid in good yield.