Methyl Acrylate → Methyl 3-methyl-4-trifluoromethylcinnamate

Participants

Reaction Steps

0.619 g (7.2 mmol) of methyl acrylate, 38.7 mg (120 μmol) of NBu4Br, 6.7 mg (30 μmol) of palladium acetate and 26.7 mg (120 μmol) of phenyldi(t-butyl)phosphine are weighed into a Schlenk vessel. 1.17 g (6 mmol) of 3-methyl-4-trifluoromethylchlorobenzene and 1.53 ml (7.2 mmol) of dicyclohexylmethylamine and also 3.5 ml of dimethylacetamide are then added. The Schlenk vessel is placed in a heating bath at 130° C. and the contents are stirred. After 4 hours, the contents are poured into 30 ml of water and the product is extracted by shaking with t-butyl methyl ether. After drying the organic phase over MgSO4, the solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the product is isolated. Yellowish, crystalline solid. Yield: 86%, two products in a ratio of 99:1 (trans/cis products).

Provenance & Evidence