Ethylene Glycol → Ibuprofen, (+-)-

Participants

Reaction Steps

In a reactor, 3.2 g (0.01 mol) of 2-(1'-bromoethyl)-2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane, 0.081 g (0.001 mol) of zinc oxide, and 15 ml of ethylene glycol were refluxed under application of heat for four hours. The resultant reaction mixture and 30 ml of an aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide in a concentration of 50% by weight added thereto were refluxed under application of heat for four hours. The resultant aqueous solution was acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid and then extracted twice, each from 40 ml of toluene. Then, the extract was distilled to expel the toluene. Consequently, there was obtained 1.7 g (0.008 mol) of 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)-propionic acid. This product represented a yield of 83% and showed a melting point of 76° to 77° C.

Provenance & Evidence