Trimethyl orthoformate → 4-(2-Carboxyethenyl)benzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 37.0 g of 4-formylcinnamic acid in 22 ml of trimethyl orthoformate and 600 ml of methanol was heated under reflux for 17 hrs. with stirring. At the end of this time, 100 ml of methanol was added and the reaction mixture was heated under reflux for an additional 5 hrs. and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The precipitate was collected, washed with methanol and dried at 75°-80° overnight to give 7.36 g of 4-carboxycinnamic acid.

Provenance & Evidence