Sulfuric Acid → Ethyl (4-chlorophenyl)(hydroxy)acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-chloromandelic acid (12.3 g, 65.9 mmol) in toluene (50 mL), EtOH (16 mL), and concentrated H2SO4 (0.1 mL) was refluxed for 12 hours while removing water using a Dean-Stark trap. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, diluted with DCM, and washed with dilute aqueous NaHCO3. The separated DCM layer was dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to give (4-chlorophenyl)-hydroxy-acetic acid ethyl ester as a colorless oil (10.0 g) that crystallized upon standing.

Provenance & Evidence