Potassium Hydroxide → 2-(Benzyloxy)-5-hydroxybenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

Methyl 5-{[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]oxy}-2-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]benzoate (may be prepared as described in Description 75; 22.0 g, 53.3 mmol) was boiled with potassium hydroxide (20.95 g, 373 mmol) in a mixture of ethanol (320 ml) and water (80 ml) overnight. After the ethanol had been evaporated, the aqueous solution was washed with ethyl acetate (500 ml), and then acidified with concentrated HCl. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo to yield the title compound as a yellow oil. 14 g.

Provenance & Evidence