Water → 4-(1,1,2,2,2-Pentafluoroethyl)benzoic acid

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Reaction Steps

A mixture of 4-pentafluoroethyl-benzonitrile (2.98 g, 13.5 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (3.03 g, 54.0 mmol) in water (40 mL) and ethanol (20 mL) was heated at reflux for 16 h. After cooling, the solution was partitioned between 1 M aq. hydrochloric acid solution and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4), and evaporated. Chromatography (SiO2, heptane-ethyl acetate gradient) produced the title compound (2.76 g, 85%). White solid, MS (ISP) 238.9 (M−H)−.

Provenance & Evidence