4-Coumaric acid → Methyl-P-Coumarate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (0.407 g, 2.48 mmol) in EtOAc, a solution of diazomethane in Et2O was added until the yellow color persisted. Excess diazomethane was quenched by the addition of AcOH and the reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 10% aqueous HCl, saturated NaHCO3 and brine. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography, using a gradient from 10%-20% EtOAc in hexane, to give E-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylic acid methyl ester as a white solid (0.362 g).

Provenance & Evidence