Methanol → 2-Phenylpropionic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 24.5 g. of 2-methane-sulphonyloxyhydratropic acid in 200 ml. of methanol 28 ml. of triethylamine and 2 g. of a 5% palladium-on-charcoal catalyst are added. The mixture is hydrogenated at 25° C., under atmospheric pressure until a calculated amount of hydrogen is used up. The catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is evaporated. The residue is taken up in water and acidified with a 20% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. The separated hydratropic acid is extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is dried over sodium sulphate, evaporated and the residue is distilled off. 13.5 g. (90%) of hydratropic acid are obtained, boiling at 145° C. (13 mmHg.); nD25 =1.5219.

Provenance & Evidence