Benzyl Alcohol → 3-Butenoic acid, phenylmethyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

138 g (535 mmol) Triphenylphosphine and 84 ml (812 mmol) benzyl alcohol were added dropwise to 46 g (535 mmol) 3-butenoic acid dissolved in 500 ml ether and 87 ml (535 mmol) ethyl azodicarboxylate and the mixture stirred for 7 hours and allowed to stand overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was purified by column chromotography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate=95:5) and a sample analysed by thin layer chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1) (Rf=0.61).

Provenance & Evidence