Benzyl Alcohol → Ethyl 4-(phenylmethoxy)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Benzyl alcohol (2.70g.; 0.025 mole) was added to a solution of ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (4.15g.; 0.025 mole) in dry ether followed by the careful addition of phosphorus pentachloride (2.5g). The mixture was boiled under reflux for 24 hrs. then poured into water and the ether layer removed. The aqueous solution was extracted with ether and the combined organic extracts dried (anhyd. MgSO4) to yield, on evaporation and purification by chromatography, 4-ethoxycarbonylphenoxy phenyl methane, m.p. 45°C.

Provenance & Evidence