2-Methylbenzoic acid → 2-dodecylbenzoic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution containing lithium diisopropylamide (0.1 mole) was prepared by treating a solution of dissopropylamine (14.1 ml, 0.1 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (200 ml) at 0° C. with n-butyl lithium (41.2 ml of a 2.43 M solution, 0.1 mole), and stirring for 5 minutes. To this was added a solution of o-toluic acid (6.8 g, 0.05 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml). The ice bath was removed and the intense red solution was stirred for 30 minutes. This solution was slowly pipetted into a solution of undecylbromide (11.8 g, 0.05 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) at -20° C. After the addition, the cooling bath was removed and the solution stirred for 30 minutes. A small amount of water was added and most of the tetrahydrofuran was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was poured into water, acidified with 3N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The ether was dried, evaporated and the residue was recrystallized from acetonitrile, then from hexane, to give the product.

Provenance & Evidence