Methanesulfonic Acid → Methyl (3E)-4-phenyl-3-butenoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3.24 mg (20 mmol) of (E)-styrylacetic acid in 20 ml of methanol, 2 ml of trimethyl orthoformate and 192 mg (2 mmol) of methanesulphonic acid was stirred at 50° C. under argon for one hour. For the working-up, the mixture was neutralized with 2 mmol of sodium methylate and subsequently the solvent mixture was distilled off under reduced pressure. There was obtained methyl (E)-4-phenyl-but-3-enoate as a colourless liquid in quantitative yield; MS: 176 (M)+.

Provenance & Evidence