Water → m-tert-Butylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a suspension of 3-tert-butylbenzylbenzonitrile (4.13 g, 21.9 mmol) in water (80 ml) was added sodium hydroxide (2.19 g, 54.8 mmol) and the mixture was heated under reflux overnight. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was diluted with water, and the aqueous layer was washed with ether. The aqueous layer was then acidified with 6N hydrochloric acid, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 3-tert-butylbenzoic acid (3.23 g, 83% in 2 steps) as colorless crystals.

Provenance & Evidence