Sodium Hydroxide → 4-Cyanophenylacetic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of methyl 4-cyanophenylacetate (23.9 g; 0.136 mol) in ethanol (250 mL) was stirred at room temperature and a solution of sodium hydroxide (6.0 g; 0.15 mol) in water (25 mL) was added. After 2 hours the ethanol was removed in vacuo. Ethyl acetate (300 mL) and 5% aqueous HCl (300 mL) were added and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (300 mL) and the combined organic layers were dried (MgSO4) and evaporated in vacuo to give the acid (21.6 g; 99%) which was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence