Rearrangement of 2-phenyl-propanal with otc-chemicals to produce phenylacetone. 

Here's what I found out about this reaction:

A) 30 g of 2-phenylpropanal are refluxed with a solution of 60 g HgCl2 in 450 ml 
75% EtOH for 5 hrs. Precipitate forms. Water is added and steam-distilled. 
Precipitate redissolves. Oily layer is extracted and fractionated (distilled 
over effective column). Yield: >80%!!! bp(11):99-101deg C.

B) 9 g of 2-phenylpropanal are slowly (40 min) added into conc. H2SO4. 
Temperature is kept at -16 deg C. Stirring might be a good idea. Let stand 15 
min.(same temperature). Pour on ice. The product is collected (extracted) and 
distilled. Yield: 5.6g (60%). Both procedures are from an old german journal, 
meaning they will *probably* really work: S.Danilov, E.Venus-Danilova, 
B. 60, 1050 (1927). HAH, fuck the DEA!!! 