2-Phenylpropionic acid → Methyl alpha-methylbenzeneacetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

DBU (2.03 g, 13.3 mmol) was added to a mixture of 2-phenylpropionic acid (2.0 g, 13.3 mmol) in DMC (20 mL) and the resulting mixture was heated to reflux (90° C.) for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and diluted with CH2Cl2 (50 mL) and water (40 mL). The organic layer was separated and washed in sequence with 2 M HCl (2×40 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (40 mL) and water (2×50 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to give methyl 2-phenylpropionate as an oil.

Provenance & Evidence