Water → 2-(2-Bromo-5-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid

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Reaction Steps

5-Methoxy-2-bromophenylacetonitrile (52.8 g, 0.23 mol) is dissolved in ethanol (250 mL) and stirred at room temperature. Sodium hydroxide (9.3 g, 0.47 mol) is dissolved in water (150 mL) and added to the solution of the nitrile. The mixture is heated to reflux temperature for 12 hours and then cooled to room temperature. Most of the ethanol is removed using a rotary evaporator and the residual aqueous solution adjusted to pH 4 with 3 N HCl. The solid which forms is isolated by filtration and washed with water. Air drying gives 5-methoxy-2-bromophenylacetic acid.

Provenance & Evidence