Potassium Hydroxide → 3-(Benzyloxy)-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid

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Reaction Steps

A solution of potassium hydroxide (1.8 g, 338 mmol) and 3-benzyloxy-2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid methyl ester in ethanol (50.0 mL) is refluxed for 24 h. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, the crude is diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The water phase is acidified with 1N aq. HCl (pH ˜2-3) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are washed with water and brine; the organic phase is dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford 2.5 g of 3-benzyloxy-2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid as a brown solid that is used in the next step without any further purification. Yield: 32%, over two steps; m/z 209 [M+H].

Provenance & Evidence