Hydrochloric Acid → Mosher's acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

210 g of methyl α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate (obtained according to Example 1) were mixed with 600 ml of methanol at 25° C., and 860 ml of 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were slowly added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. Dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid was then used to adjust the pH to 1, and extraction was carried out using 2×200 ml of methylene chloride, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and, finally, the solvent was removed. This gave 96% yield of α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid (=190 g).

Provenance & Evidence