Ethanol → 4,4,4-trifluoro-3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of diethyl 2-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)malonate (iv, 20.93 g, 77.45 mmol) and KOH (17.23 g, 307.1 mmol) in EtOH (200 mL, 3000 mmol) was heated at 80° C. for 16 h. The reaction was concentrated and partitioned between water and Et2O. The aqueous layer was acidified with 6 N HCl and then extracted with Et2O (2×). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to provide and orange oil. A low pressure distillation gave the product as a light pink liquid (10.17 g, 77%).

Provenance & Evidence