Propionic Acid → Methyl 4-methyl-3-phenyl-4-pentenoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

3-Phenyl-2-methyl-2-propen-1-ol (50 g, 0.32 mol) and trimethyl orthoacetate (263 g, 2.2 mol) were heated together in the presence of propionic acid (0.3 ml) in a bath at 145° C. for 6 hours, while distilling the methanol formed during the reaction. After removing the residual methanol and the excess orthoacetate under vacuum, the product was purified by distillation through a 20-cm Widmer column. 80 g of the desired product were obtained (yield=78%). B.P.=55° C./0.001 mbar

Provenance & Evidence