Ethyl 5-cyano-4-oxo-5-(2-methylphenyl)pentanoate → 5-(2-Methylphenyl)-4-oxopentanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

Undistilled ethyl 5-cyano-4-oxo-5-(2-methylphenyl)pentanoate (prepared by the procedure described above; 773 g.) was heated under reflux with hydrobromic acid (48-50%; 1550 ml.) for 3 hours. On cooling, the reaction mixture separated into two layers. The lower, aqueous phase was separated and extracted with chloroform (3 × 500 ml.). The chloroform extract was added to the upper, organic layer of the reaction mixture. The chloroform solution (about 2 liters) thus obtained was washed with water (3 × 200 ml.) and evaporated to give 5-(2-methylphenyl)-4-oxopentanoic acid (535 g.) in the form of a dark coloured oil.

Provenance & Evidence