3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid → Benzenepropanoic acid, 4-hydroxy-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

15 g (0.09 mol, 1 eq) of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid are dissolved in 50 ml of methanol and 4 drops of sulfuric acid are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. The reaction is stopped by addition of 50 mL of saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phases are combined and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvents are evaporated off and the residue is then chromatographed on silica gel (70/30 heptane/ethyl acetate). 14.9 g of methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate are obtained. Yield=92%

Provenance & Evidence