Uses
3-Phenoxypropionic acid is a carboxylic acid derivative that can be used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis.
Chemical Properties
WHITE TO BEIGE FLUFFY POWDER
Definition
ChEBI: 3-Phenoxypropionic acid is an aromatic ether and a carboxylic acid.
Synthesis
Phenol and ethyl acrylate were introduced into a 5-liter three-necked glass flask fitted with a heat element and overhead stirrer. Triton B was added and heated at reflux (120C) for 48 h. TLC showed that a small amount of phenol was still present. The reaction compositions were treated as follows. Ethyl acrylate was removed and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with aqueous NaOH (10%), then with water (3.0 liters) and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dried organic layer was concentrated to give a residue. The residue was placed in a 10.0 liter round bottom glass flask, concentrated HCl was added and heated under reflux for 24 hours. The TLC was checked and the reaction composition was cooled to 25C. The solid was filtered out and washed thoroughly with water (5 liters). The product was dried under vacuum in an oven at 30C overnight. Yield: 450 g (27% of theoretical value) Purity (HPLC): 98.32%.
