Water → 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-methylbutanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

7.6 g of crude α-ethyl-α-methyl-4-fluorobenzyl cyanide, 20 ml of H2O and 20 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid were refluxed at 134° to 137° C. for 5.5 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and extracted with benzene, and the benzene solution was extracted with dilute alkali and the obtained dilute alkali extract was adjusted to pH 7.5 with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and extracted with benzene to remove impurities. Then, the aqueous solution was adjusted to pH 4.6 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with benzene. The benzene extract was washed with water, dried over Na2SO4, and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 3.8 g of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methylbutyric acid.

Provenance & Evidence