Water → 2-(4-(3-Methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl)propionic acid

Reaction equation

[CH2:1]([C:6]1[CH:11]=[CH:10][C:9]([CH:12]([CH3:15])[C:13]#N)=[CH:8][CH:7]=1)[CH:2]=[C:3]([CH3:5])[CH3:4].[OH-:16].[Na+].[OH2:18]>CO>[CH2:1]([C:6]1[CH:11]=[CH:10][C:9]([CH:12]([CH3:15])[C:13]([OH:18])=[O:16])=[CH:8][CH:7]=1)[CH:2]=[C:3]([CH3:5])[CH3:4]

Participants

Procedure

A mixture of 16.4 g of 2-(p-prenylphenyl)propionitrile, 60 g of sodium hydroxide, 100 ml of water and 120 ml of methanol was stirred at 70°-75° C. for 8 hours. The resulting solution was concentrated and acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid, followed by extraction with ethyl ether and washing with water. The ethereal solution was extracted with 5% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The aqueous layer was acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid, and extracted with ether, which was then washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and decolorized with activated charcoal. The ether was removed to give 15.5 g of 2-(p-prenylphenyl)propionic acid. ##STR1##