Clofibrate → Clofibric Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid ethyl ester (2.0 g, 8.24 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (16 mL) at room temperature is added water (4 mL) followed by lithium hydroxide monohydrate (0.69 g, 16.4 mmol). The reaction is stirred for 16 h at room temperature. After this time, the mixture is diluted with water and washed with DCM. The aqueous phase is separated, acidified to pH ˜2 with 1M aqueous HCl solution and then extracted with DCM (x2). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine, dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound as a white solid (1.45 g, 82%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d): δ ppm 1.62 (6H, s), 6.89 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz), 7.24 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz).

Provenance & Evidence