Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Hydroxymethylnaphthoic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of methyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)-1-naphthalenecarboxylate (700 mg, 3.24 mmol) in methanol (10 ml) was added 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (3.24 ml, 3.24 mmol) and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. 1N Hydrochloric acid was added to the reaction solution (5 ml) and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (50 ml×2). The extract was washed with saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane to give 4-(hydroxymethyl)-1-naphthalenecarboxylic acid (570 mg, 87%).

Provenance & Evidence