Acetic Acid → 3-(Methoxymethoxy)-4-methylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-methoxymethoxy-4-methyl-benzoic acid ethyl ester (4.5 g, 20 mmol) (from Example 3 supra) in a mixture of ethanol (50 mL), water (20 mL) and 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (30 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Mixture was concentrated to remove most of the ethanol. Resulting aqueous solution was acidified with acetic acid (2.5 g, 41.6 mmol). After standing for another 30 minutes, the precipitate formed was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried to give 3-methoxymethoxy-4-methyl-benzoic acid as a white powder. (Yield 3.82 g, 97%).

Provenance & Evidence