Preparation of methanol - D4

Abstract Simple methods for the preparation of methanol D 4 have been explored. The "carboxy‐inversion" reaction has been applied to acetyle m‐chloroperoxybensoate, prepared with a 81% yield by action of m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid with acetyl chloride. The carboxy inversion reaction yield is only 15%. This transposition is solvent dependent. When the solvent used is chlorinated e. g. C CL 4 , C CL 2 = C Cl 2 it participates in the reaction. The oxydation of acetic anhydride with iodine does not provide methyle acetate while the method is successfull with the higher homologues. A modification of the Hunsdiecker's method : e. g. action of bromine on acetic acid in presence of mercuric oxide provides methyl bromide with a 90% yield. Alcaline hydrolisis of the latter gives rise to methanol with a 60% yield. An exchange reaction between dimethylsul foxide D 6 and methanol OD in heavy water at 200°C in presences of NaOD has been briefly studied. CD 3 OD is obtained while a part of DMSO D 6 is reduced into dimethyl sulfide.