Potassium Hydroxide → 2,3-Methylenedioxycinnamic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of ethyl 2,3-methylenedioxycinnamate (3.40 g) in methanol (25 mL) and water (5 mL) was treated with a solution of potassium hydroxide (4.3 g) in water (25 mL). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature before being concentrated in vacuo to half its original volume. The concentrate was then acidified with concentrated HCl to give 2,3-methylenedioxycinnamic acid as a colourless solid (2.81 g, 95%) which was collected by filtration and dried overnight under a vacuum.

Provenance & Evidence