Water → 4-(3-Methoxy-4-methylphenyl)butanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 6.75 g (35.7 mmol) of 3-(3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)propyl cyanide in 75 mL of EtOH was treated with a solution of 8.0 g (0.2 mol) of NaOH in 40 mL of H2O and heated at reflux overnight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in H2O. After washing with Et2O, the aqueous solution was acidified to the Congo Red end point with dilute HCl. A white solid separated which was collected and dried. There was obtained 5.6 g (75.5% yield) of the product, mp 69-70° C. The structure was confirmed by NMR and mass spectroscopy. MS m/z 209 (M+H+).

Provenance & Evidence