Propionic anhydride → 3-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-methylprop-2-enoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2.88 g. (0.02 mole) of 3,4-difluorobenzaldehyde, 3.24 g. (0.025 mole) of propionic anhydride and 0.92 g. (0.02 mole) of sodium propionate under nitrogen is heated at 135° with a magnetic stirrer for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is poured onto 50 ml. of water. A solid precipitates that dissolves when 50 ml. of saturated K2CO3 is added with stirring. The basic solution is extracted with ether (2×100 ml.). The aqueous phase is then poured into an excess of concentrated HCl and ice. The precipitated white solid is filtered and dried to give 3,4-difluoro-α-methylcinnamic acid, M.P. 122°-125°.

Provenance & Evidence