4-Methyl-alpha-(4-methylphenyl)benzeneacetic acid → Benzeneacetic acid, 4-methyl-alpha-(4-methylphenyl)-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of di-p-tolylacetic acid (4.90 g, 20.4 mmol) in methanol was treated with sat'd HCl/MeOH solution at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room temperature (3 h). The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue dissolved in dichloromethane and sodium bicarbonate solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with two additional portions of dichloromethane and the combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound (21). The crude product was used directly.

Provenance & Evidence