Benzenepropanoic acid → Methyl 3-phenylpropionate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 3-phenylpropionic acid (50g.), methanol (250ml.) and concentrated sulphuric acid (12ml.) was heated under reflux for 12 hours, and then the excess of methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was added to saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (100ml.) containing ice (400g.) and the pH adjusted to 9 by the addition of more sodium bicarbonate solution. The mixture was extracted with ether (5 × 100ml.), and the extracts combined, washed with brine (2 × 50ml.), dried and evaporated to give methyl 3-phenylpropionate as an oil with a peak at 1740 cm-1 in its I.R. spectrum.

Provenance & Evidence