Protocatechuic Acid → Ethyl 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture which contained 43 g (0.28 mole) of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 300 ml of ethanol and 0.5 ml of concentrated H2SO4 was refluxed for 48 hours. Water was trapped with 3A molecular sieves. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness in vacuo, and partitioned between ether and 5% NaHCO3 solution. The ether layer was evaporated to give 39 g (69%) of solid; m.p. 128°-130° C. The NMR and IR spectra were consistent with the assigned structure.

Provenance & Evidence