Succinic anhydride → HCID 20207520, compound

Participants

Reaction Steps

4'-Methoxybenzoin (17.4 g, 0.0716 m) prepared according to R. T. Arnold and R. C. Fuson, J.A.C.S., 58, 1295 (1936), succinic anhydride (8.7 g, 0.086 m), triethylamine (3.541, 0.025 m) and toluene (30 ml) were heated on a steam cone under nitrogen for 2.5 hours. Thin layer chromatography (silica gel 60, ethyl acetate) showed complete conversion of the starting benzoin. Glacial acetic acid (40 ml) and ammonium acetate (7.6 g) were added and 40 ml of solvent were removed by distillation over 1 hour. Glacial acetic acid (40 ml) was added and 40 ml solvent removed by distillation. Glacial acetic acid (40 ml) was added and again 40 ml solvent removed by distillation. The cooled mixture was poured into 600 ml of ice water and the solid product was filtered. The product was purified by chromatography on a silica gel column using gradient elution from 100% chloroform to 90% chloroform:10% ethylacetate. Crystallization of the residue (29 g) from 200 ml of 50% aq. methanol gave 22.5 g of 5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolepropanoic acid, m.p. 123°-126° C.

Provenance & Evidence