Methanol → Methyl 3-phenylbutanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Thionyl chloride (44 ml, 91.4 mmol) is added dropwise to methanol (30 ml) at 0° C., followed by 3-phenylbutyric acid (10 g, 60.9 mmol). The reaction is stirred for 4 hours and the solvent is evaporated. The residue is partitioned between t-butylnethyl ether and aqueous ammonia. The organic phase is washed with water and brine, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to afford the title compound. MH+179.

Provenance & Evidence