Water → 2-(4-Cyanophenyl)propanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of ethyl 2-(4-cyanophenyl)propanoate (453 mg, 1.968 mmol) in co-solvent with tetrahydrofuran and water (1:1) were added sodium hydroxide (197 mg, 4.919 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for overnight at room temperature, then acidified to pH 3-4 with acetic acid. The residue was diluted with ethylacetate and washed with water and brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate removed in vacuo. The crude 2-(4-cyanophenyl)propanoic acid (422 mg) was obtained as 99% yield.

Provenance & Evidence