Benzoic Acid → 3-Ethoxy-4-oxahexyl benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A stirred solution of 50.0 grams (0.347 mole) of the sodium salt of benzoic acid and 53.0 grams (0.320 mole) of 3-ethoxy-4-oxahexyl chloride in 500 ml of dimethylformamide was heated at reflux for three hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, and 500 ml of water was added. The mixture was extracted with two 700 ml portions of diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried with sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure yielding 57.5 grams of 3-ethoxy-4-oxahexyl benzoate. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure. Further extraction of the aqueous layer with diethyl ether yielded an additional 34.7 grams of the benzoate.

Provenance & Evidence