Water → 2-Ethoxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-nitrophenyl)propanoic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

2-Ethoxy-3-(4-benzyloxy-2-nitrophenyl)propanoic acid methyl ester (1.5 g; 4.06 mmole) was dissolved in dichloromethane (8 ml) and dimethylsulfide (8 ml) was added. Boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (5.0 ml; 40.6 mmole) was added under stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and then poured into water and more dichloromethane was added. The phases were separated and the organic phase was washed with water and brine and dried with magnesium sulfate. Evaporation to remove the solvent gave 1.04 g (95% yield) of 2-ethoxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-nitrophenyl)propanoic acid methyl ester.

Provenance & Evidence