Hydrochloric Acid → 4-(4-Cyclohexylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of ethyl 3-(4-cyclohexylbenzoyl)propionate (19.6 g) in methanol (150 ml), 2N KOH (102 ml) was added, followed by stirring at room temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water (200 ml), acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water and dried (MgSO4), after which the solvent was evaporated off, to yield 3-(4-cyclohexylbenzoyl)propionic acid (10.8 g, 61%), which was then recrystallized from isopropyl ether to yield colorless prisms having a melting point of 140°-141° C.

Provenance & Evidence