Potassium Hydroxide → 3-Phenyl-2-t-butylcarboxymethylpropionic acid

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Reaction Steps

Dissolve 3-phenyl-2-t-butylcarboxymethylpropionic acid, ethyl ester (2.68 g, 9.17 mmol) in ethanol (95%, 60 mL) and water (30 mL). Treat with potassium hydroxide (2.94 g, 52 mmol). Stir at room temperature for 3 hours. Add water (75 mL) and extract with ethyl ether (2×50 mL). Extract the combined ethereal phases with water (75 mL) and acidify the combined aqueous phases with aqueous 1 M tartaric acid (pH 2-3). Extract with ethyl acetate (2×125 mL), dry (Na2SO4) and evaporate the solvent in vacuo. Take the residue up in methylene chloride and filter to give 3-phenyl-2-t-butylcarboxymethylpropionic acid as a pale yellow solid (1.96 g, 81%).

Provenance & Evidence