Carbon Dioxide → beta-Phenylisovaleric acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

While stirring powdery magnesium (9.56 g, 393 mmol) and iodine (one crumb) in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml), a solution of 1-chloro-2-methyl-2-phenylpropane (26.53 g, 157.3 mmol) and 1,2-dibromoethane (29.6 g, 157 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was dropwise added at a rate permitting the reaction solution to gently reflux. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 4 hrs. The reaction solution was cooled to −78° C., and pulverized dry ice (50 g) was carefully added. After completion of the dropwise addition, the reaction solution was gradually warmed to room temperature with stirring. The reaction solution was diluted with water, acidified with conc. hydrochloric acid, and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The solvent of the recovered organic layer was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was mixed with sodium hydroxide (6 g) and water (200 ml). The obtained aqueous solution was washed with diethyl ether-hexane, acidified with conc. hydrochloric acid, and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The recovered organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give the objective substance.

Provenance & Evidence