Hydroxyphenylacetic acid → Benzeneacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 15 gm (0.1 mole) of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in 500 mL methanol and 2 mL concentrated sulfuric acid was placed in a Soxhlet extractor charged with 3 A molecular sieves. The solution was heated to reflux for 72 hours, and the sieves were exchanged at 24-hour intervals. The reaction medium was then evaporated to an oil which was dissolved in 100 mL toluene and extracted with 3×100 mL water. The toluene phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, treated with activated charcoal and evaporated to provide 13 gm (80% yield) of a yellow oil. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the assigned structure and this material was used in the next reaction step.

Provenance & Evidence