Methanol → Methyl alpha-methylbenzeneacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

2-Phenylpropionic acid (8.4 g, 56 mmol) in methanol (180 ml) and concentrated H2SO4 (2 ml) were heated at reflux for 4 hours. The reaction was cooled down to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo (~30 ml), which was poured into ice water (~100 ml). The products were extracted with Et2O (150 ml×3), which was washed with saturated NaHCO3, H2O and dried over MgSO4. Filtration and evaporation of solvent yielded a yellow oil (8.9 g), which was distilled to give a colorless oil (8.34 g, 51 mmol, 91%, b.p. 73° C./1.5 mm Hg).

Provenance & Evidence