Water → Methyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-oxobutanoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (23.4 g) in dry dimethylformamide (DMF: 100 ml) was added over 10 minutes to a stirred mixture of sodium cyanide (4.0 g) and dry DMF (200 ml). After 5 minutes a solution of methyl acrylate (10.75 g) in dry DMF (100 ml) was added to the reaction mixture over 20 minutes. The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained at 35° C. throughout both additions and then for a further 3 hours before it was poured into water and extracted with diethyl ether. The extracts were washed successively with water (several times), dilute sulphuric acid, aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and water, before drying over magnesium sulphate and concentration under reduced pressure to give methyl 3-(4-chlorobenzoyl)propanoate (24.4 g, 86%) as a yellow solid.

Provenance & Evidence