3-(2-Fluorophenyl)prop-2-enoic acid → Methyl 3-(2-fluorophenyl)propanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

In a Parr vessel is placed 2-fluorocinnamic acid (1h) (1.0 equiv) and palladium on carbon in a 1/1 methanol/ethyl acetate solution. The heterogeneous solution is placed on a Parr shaker and treated with hydrogen (50 psi) until uptake has ceased. The mixture is filtered through Celite and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in diethyl ether and treated with diazomethane until a yellow color persists. The solution is concentrated under reduced pressure to give the crude methyl ester. Purification is effected by column chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 5/1) to yield Methyl 3-(2-fluorophenyl)propionate (1i) in quantitative yield.

Provenance & Evidence