Water → 4-Fluorocinnamic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4 g. of sodium hydroxide in 30 ml. of water is added to a solution of 19.4 g. (0.1 mole) of ethyl trans-4-fluorocinnamate (Compound LXV) in 350 ml. of ethanol, and the reaction mixture is stirred at 70° C. for 18 hours. The solvent is evaporated at reduced pressure, and the residue is dissolved in water. The solution is washed once with methyl t-butyl ether and acidified with 6N. hydrochloric acid. The resulting precipitate is washed twice with water and dried to obtain the product (15.5 g. (93%)). An analytical sample was recrystallized from ethyl acetate, m.p. 204°-206° C.

Provenance & Evidence