Ethanol → 4-Methoxy-gamma,gamma,3-trimethylbenzenebutanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-4-methyl-pentanoic acid ethyl ester (Compound 4, 6.8 g, 25.8 mmol) and 20 mL of absolute ethyl alcohol was added aqueous 5M KOH (6 mL). The resulting solution was heated in an 60° C. bath for 24 h. The solution was cooled to room temperature, diluted with water and washed once with 2:1 hexane:ethyl acetate solution, and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was acidified with HCl 2N to pH=0-1 and the product extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, and dried over MgSO4, and filtered. The solvent was removed to give 5.9 g (97%) of the title compound as a dark oil.

Provenance & Evidence