[OH:1][CH2:2][C:3]1[CH:4]=[C:5]([CH:11]=[CH:12][CH:13]=1)[O:6][CH2:7][C:8]([OH:10])=[O:9].C(Cl)(Cl)Cl.O.[CH2:19](O)[CH3:20]>S(=O)(=O)(O)O>[OH:1][CH2:2][C:3]1[CH:4]=[C:5]([CH:11]=[CH:12][CH:13]=1)[O:6][CH2:7][C:8]([O:10][CH2:19][CH3:20])=[O:9]A solution of 3-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxyacetic acid (3.18 g.) in ethanol (30 ml.) was treated with concentrated sulphuric acid (10 drops) and allowed to stand for 3 days. Chloroform (100 ml.) and water (50 ml.) were then added. The organic phase was separated, washed sequentially with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (2×50 ml.), water (50 ml.) and saturated brine (50 ml.) and then dried (MgSO4) The dried solution was evaporated and the residue purified by flash column chromatography, eluting with petrol (40°-60° )/ ethyl acetate (60:40 v/v) to give ethyl 3-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxyacetate (2.6 g.) as a colourless oil, NMR: 1.25 (3H,t), 2.8 (1H,br s), 4.25 (2H,q), 4.6 (4H,s) and 6.6-7.4 (4H,m)ppm.
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