3-(3-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-2-methoxy-acrylic acid methyl ester → 3-(3-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-2-methoxy-propionic acid methyl ester

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Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-(3-benzyloxy-phenyl)-2-methoxy-acrylic acid methyl ester (Example 291, Step 2) (3.96 g) in methanol (10 mL) was placed in a round bottom flask equipped with a reflux condenser. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and Mg turnings (6.45 g) were added. The mixture was initially stirred vigorously and then further stirred at room temperature for about an hour. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum, and 100 mL of diethyl ether were added to the resulting solid. HCl (3N, 100 mL) was added and the solution was stirred for one minute. The organic layer was separated from the slurry, and 100 mL of diethyl ether and HCl (3N, 100 mL) were added to the remaining slurry. The procedure was repeated until the entire solid was dissolved. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with brine and dried over MgSO4. Concentration of the mixture afforded a yellow oil which was about 90% pure bye NMR. 1H-NMR (CDCl3, 200.15 MHz): 7.45–7.17 (m, 6H), 6.88–6.81 (m, 3H), 5.05 (s, 2H), 3.97 (dd, 1H, J=7.3, 5.4), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.00 (d, 1H, J=5.1), 2.99 (d, 1H, J=7.8).

Provenance & Evidence