Methanol → 2-(6-Hydroxy-naphthalen-2-yl)-propionic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of methanol (2100 ml) and sulphuric acid (84 ml) was added 2-(6-Hydroxy-naphthalen-2-yl)-propionic acid (420 grams). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 6 Hours. Methanol (1000 ml) was distilled, and the cooled reaction mass was poured onto ice water to yield crude 2-(6-hydroxy-naphthalen-2-yl)-propionic acid methyl ester which was filtered, dried and recrystallized using a mixture of ethyl acetate:hexane to yield pure product (400 grams, 89.5% yield) as a white fluffy powder with a melting point of 89.5-92° C. The pure product was characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy in CDCl3 δ 1.60 (d, 3H, CH3), 3.70 (s, 3H, Ester), 3.88 (q, 1H, CH), 5.36 (bs, 1H, OH), 7.08 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.48 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.65 (m, 3H, Ar).

Provenance & Evidence