Formic Acid → Methyl 4-[3-carboxy-4-(4-cyanophenyl)butyl]benzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 7.47 ml (53.63 mmol) of triethylamine and 1.53 ml (40.63 mmol) of formic acid in 170 ml of dioxane is added to a solution of 7.5 g (16.25 mmol) of diallyl 2-(4-cyanobenzyl)-2-[2-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)ethyl]malonate from Example 71A, 0.3 g (1.14 mmol) of triphenylphosphine and 70 mg of palladium acetate in 170 ml of dioxane at room temperature. The reaction mixture is then stirred at 100° C. for 2 hours. After conversion is complete, the reaction solution is cooled and the solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is then taken up in ethyl acetate and water and acidified with 1 N hydrochloric acid, and the organic phase is separated off. The aqueous phase is extracted three times more with ethyl acetate, and the organic phases are then combined, washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solution is concentrated in vacuo. 5.48 g (89% yield, 90% purity) of a colorless solid are obtained.

Provenance & Evidence