Sulfuric Acid → 4-(4-Tolyl)butanoic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-(p-tolyl)-butyric acid (10.0 g, 56.11 mmol) in methanol (680 mL) was treated with concentrated sulfuric acid (5.4 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 18 hour. Sodium bicarbonate (≈15 g) was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, then concentrated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate/water. The organic phase was separated and washed with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give the title material (10.8 g, 100% crude) as an oil which was used for the next reaction.

Provenance & Evidence