Methanol → Ibuprofen, (+-)-

Participants

Reaction Steps

In a reactor, 32 g (0.10 mol) of 2-(1'-bromoethyl)-2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane, 0,81 g (0.01 mol) of zinc oxide, and 40 ml of monochlorobenzene were heated at 140° C. for two hours. The resultant reaction mixture was filtered to recover the catalyst (93%) and then distilled to expel the monochlorobenzene. Then, the residue was subjected to hydrolysis by following the procedure of Example 10 (150 ml of methanol and 400 ml of 50% NaOH aqueous solution). Consequently, there was obtained 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)-propionic acid in a yield of 99%. When the same reaction was repeated by using the recovered zinc oxide as the catalyst, there was obtained 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)-propionic acid in a yield of 95%.

Provenance & Evidence