Ethanol → Ethyl phenylacetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Toluene (1.38 g), ethanol (46 mg), di-tert-butyl peroxide (73 mg, 1 equivalent), rhodium trichloride (1.1 mg, 1 mol %), and Xantphos (2.9 mg) were added into a reaction kettle, into which 10 atm carbon monoxide was introduced. The reaction was heated to 120° C., and stirred at this constant temperature for 16 h. After the reaction was completed, carbon monoxide was discharged, and 39 mg ethyl phenylacetate was obtained by column chromatography, in a yield of 48%. The ethyl phenylacetate obtained was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane. 6 N sodium hydroxide solution was added, and the reaction was heated to 60° C. After 2 h of reaction, the pH value was adjusted to 1 by adding 2 N hydrochloric acid. After removing the organic solvent under reduced pressure, 29 mg product phenylacetic acid was obtained by extraction with ethyl acetate, and the yield of hydrolysis was 90%.

Provenance & Evidence