Potassium Carbonate → 1-Cyano-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylic Acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of potassium carbonate (40 g) in water (125 mL) was added to a solution of 1-cyano-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (64.26 g, 264 mmol) in MeOH (500 mL). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 1 hour and then stirred overnight at 85° C. The volatiles where evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue was diluted with water and washed twice with EtOAc. The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was acidified by addition of HCl (concentrated). Ethyl ether was added and the mixture was carefully extracted. The organic layer was separated, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 27.2 g (49% yield) of 1-cyano-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid as an off-white solid.

Provenance & Evidence