Benzyl Alcohol → 4-(Benzyloxy)-2-methylidene-4-oxobutanoic acid

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of itaconic anhydride (33.6 g, 0.3 mol) in 100 ml of toluene is added benzyl alcohol (32.4 g, 0.3 mol). The resulting solution is heated to reflux for 3 hours. After cooling down to room temperature, hexanes (100 mL) are added to the above mixture and are continued to stir for 8 hours. A white solid is collected by filtration and washed with hexanes and dried in vacuum, giving rise to 55 g (83% yield) of the desired product: 2-(benzyloxycarbonylmethyl)acrylic acid monomer.

Provenance & Evidence