Sulfuric Acid → Methyl alpha-phenylbenzeneacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 2,2-diphenylacetic acid (1 gram, 1 equiv) in dry MeOH (50 mL) was added sulfuric acid (0.4 mL) dropwise and heated to reflux. Stirring was then continued for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled and poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO3 and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic fractions were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield an oil (1.0 g, 93%) that was not further purified.

Provenance & Evidence