Hydrochloric Acid → Ethyl 3-oxo-3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-trifluoromethylacetophenone (57.8 g, 0.307 mol) and ethanol (1 ml) in ethyl carbonate (300 ml) was added sodium hydride (24.5 g, 60% in oil, 0.63 mol) by small portions. Because heat was generated gradually, the reaction solution was ice-cooled and thereafter stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. 6N Hydrochloric acid was added thereto to stop the reaction. The mixture was diluted with water (300 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (200 ml×2). The extract was washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=50:1-5:1) to give ethyl 3-oxo-3-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)propionate (71.2 g, 89%).

Provenance & Evidence