Synthesis of 5,5-diphenyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione (Phenytoin) from almond.

Regarding the significance of Phenytoin and its 5 tons annual import from abroad, it was decided to synthesize it from the easily accessible starting materials which are available in this country (Iran). Almond kernels were ground then, through steam distillation and extraction methods, almond oil and subsequently benzaldehyde were isolated and purified. Benzaldehyde under the influence of sodium cyanide in aqueous alcohol undergone a dimolecular condensation reaction and gave benzoin. Oxidation of benzoin with concentrated nitric acid yielded the diketone, Benzil. Benzil under the treatment with urea in alcoholic solution and in the presence of NaOH (30%) first gave benzilic acid, then through a condensation reaction with Urea and after acidification of the filtrate with HCl (2M) finally gave 5,5-diphenyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione (Phenytoin). The chemical structures of the intermediates and products were elucidated and determined through their IR, HNMR and MS (EI) spectra.