Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid

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Reaction Steps

Step A A mixture of 2,2-dimethylbutyrolactone (6.84 g, 60 mmol) and KOH (3.36 g) in H2O (60 mL) was heated at reflux for 2 h. The solution was cooled to room temperature, and acidified to “pH” 5 with aqueous HCl solution. The mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate three times. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, concentrated under reduced pressure to give 4-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-butanoic acid as a colorless oil (4 g, 51%).

Provenance & Evidence