Methanol → 2-(3-Fluorophenoxy)acetic acid

To a solution of ethyl 3-fluorophenoxy-acetate (2 g, 10 mmol) in 24 mL of a 1:1:1 solution of MeOH:H2O:THF is added lithium hydroxide monohydrate (2.25 g, 54 mmol). The solution is stirred for 16 hours. After this time, the solution is concentrated under reduced pressure to ⅓ of its volume. The remaining solution is acidified to pH=3 with 1N HCl (aq.). The aqueous solution is extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer is washed with a saturated solution NaCl (aq.). The organic layer is dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to give the product (1.65 g, 9.7 mmol) as a white solid. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz) δ9.8 (bs, 1H), 7.28 (m, 1H), 6.69 (m, 3H), 4.70 (s, 2H).