Hydrochloric Acid → Ethyl 3,4-dichlorophenylacetate

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Reaction Steps

A solution of 59.5 g. of 3,4-dichlorophenylacetic acid in 500 ml. of absolute ethanol is saturated with anhydrous hydrogen chloride and then heated at reflux for 2 hours. The mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure to 200 ml., diluted with 200 ml. of water and neutralized with concentrated ammonium hydroxide. This aqueous mixture is extracted 3 times with chloroform. Concentration and decolorization of the chloroform extracts gives ethyl 3,4-dichlorophenylacetate as a yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence