Methanol → Methyl p-coumarate

Participants

Reaction Steps

51.2 g (312 mmol) of p-coumaric acid were dissolved in 330 ml of methanol and treated with 10 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid. The solution was heated under reflux for 2 hours. Subsequently the majority of the methanol (about 200 ml) was distilled off and the residue remaining behind was poured into 1.31 of ice-water. The separated ester was filtered off under suction and washed in succession with cold water, with a small amount of cold NaHCO3 solution and again with cold water. Drying at 50° C. in a water-jet vacuum gave 51.1 g of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylic acid methyl ester in the form of a light brownish coloured powder.

Provenance & Evidence