3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenol → 3-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]propanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

3-Chloropropionic acid (25 g) was added dropwise to a 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (120 mL) of 3-hydroxybenzotrifluoride (25 g). The reaction mixture was refluxed for one hour while the pH was maintained at 10 or more with a 5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and was then washed with diethyl ether. Subsequently, 1 N hydrochloric acid was added thereto so that the solution became acidic. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was sequentially washed with water and a saturated brine and then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and n-hexane was then added to the residue to perform crystallization. The title compound (6.1 g) was obtained as colorless crystals.

Provenance & Evidence