Acetic Acid → 2-Propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

As a further illustration of the ability of a catalyst which is maintained in a soluble, non-solid, oxidized stated to convert the reactants into a relatively high yield of the desired product, a mixture comprising 0.5 mole of benzene, 0.10 mole of methyl acrylate, 0.50 mole of glacial acetic acid, 0.002 mole of palladium (II) acetylacetonate and 0.002 mole of cupric acetate monohydrate was charged to a 300 cc. stirred, stainless steel autoclave. The autoclave was sealed and air was pressed in until an initial operating pressure of 1100 pounds per square inch gauge was reached. The autoclave was stirred, heated to a temperature of 120°C. and maintained at the aforementioned operating temperature and pressure for a period of 6 hours. During this time the bulk of the palladium and copper salt remained dissolved in the reaction medium. During the 6-hour reaction time, liquid samples were periodically withdrawn and analyzed by means of gas chromatography. At the end of the 6-hour period, an 86% conversion of the methyl acrylate and a 70% yield of methyl cinnamate, the desired product, based on the methyl acrylate charged, were noted.

Provenance & Evidence