Benzenepropanoic acid → Methyl 3-phenylpropionate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-phenylpropionic acid (50 g, 0.33 mole) and conc. sulfuric acid (5 g) in methanol (220 ml) was refluxed for 1 hour with the stirring, concentrated and poured into cold H2O. The mixture was extracted with methylene chloride (75 ml×3), the organic layer was washed with H2O (125 ml×2), dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and evaporated. The residue (54 g) was distilled under reduced pressure to give 51.5 g of methyl 3-phenylpropionate as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence