Methanol → Methyl 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 200 g (1.218 mole) of 2-hydroxycinnamic acid in 2L of anhydrous methanol was treated with 10 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid. This solution was refluxed for 72 hr., using a Soxhlet extractor charged with 200 g of 3A molecular sieves. The methanolic solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure and cooled to afford 200 g (92%) of white crystals, which were used directly in the next step without additional purification.

Provenance & Evidence