Hydrochloric Acid → Methyl 3-oxo-4-phenylbutanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

In 70 ml of methylene chloride was dissolved 36.03 g (0.25 mol) of Meldrum's acid. Pyridine (38.17 g, 0.48 mol) was used as a base. To the solution was added dropwise 42.52 g (0.275 mol) of phenylacetyl chloride in an ice bath while stirring. After the reaction, ice-water and diluted hydrochloric acid were added to wash. Methylene chloride was evaporated, methanol was added, followed by refluxing, and the solvent was evaporated to give 44 g (91.7%) of methyl 4-phenyl-3-oxobutyrate.

Provenance & Evidence