Phenol → Methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenoxypropanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(4-toluenesulfonyloxy)propionate (Intermediate A35, 80 g, 0.28 mol), phenol (28 g, 0.029 mol), potassium carbonate (58 g, 0.42 mol), and 250 mL N,N-dimethylacetamide was stirred and heated at reflux for 4 hr. The reaction mixture was cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate, and poured into water. The organic phase was washed with water and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in hexanes and washed with water, 1 M sodium hydroxide, and a second portion of water. The concentrated solution was distilled at 15 torr (34-37° C.) to yield 25 g (42%) of the methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenoxypropionate.

Provenance & Evidence