Benzenepropanoic acid → Methyl 3-phenylpropionate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-phenylpropionic acid (50 g, 0.33 mole) and conc. sulfuric acid (5 g) in methanol (220 ml) was refluxed for 1 hour with stirring, concentrated and poured into cold H2O. The mixture was extracted thrice with methylene chloride (75 ml), the organic layer was washed thrice with H2O (125 ml), dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and evaporated. The residual crude oil (54 g) was distilled under reduced pressure to give 51.5 g of methyl 3-phenylpropionate as a colorless oil having a boiling point of 94°-95° C./5 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence