4-Ethylbenzoic acid

Chemical Properties

It is a white to beige powder with a melting point of 112-113℃. It is not soluble in water, but can be dissolved in benzene and toluene.

Uses

4-Ethylbenzoic acid was used in the synthesis of ethyl 4-vinyl-α-cyano-β-phenylcinnamate. It was also used to functionalize the edge of “pristine” graphite in the presence of polyphosphoric acid/phosphorus pentoxide.

Definition

ChEBI: 4-Ethylbenzoic acid is a member of benzoic acids.

Application

4-Ethylbenzoic acid has various applications such as being used as an intermediate in the production of pesticide insecticides, including tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide, as well as an initiator of carbon nanotube materials. Additionally, it can also use as an intermediate in the production of liquid crystals.

Preparation

The preparation of 4-ethylbenzoic acid can be done in the following steps:
1. Add ethylbenzene and trichloroacetaldehyde in the reaction kettle.
2. Add anhydrous aluminum trichloride in batches at 0 °C.
3. Stir and react at -10 ~ 0 °C for 2 hours after the addition.
4. Add dilute hydrochloric acid to the mixed solution to decompose the remaining aluminum trichloride.
5. Wash with NaHCO3 and water.
6. Distill the organic layer to recover ethylbenzene.
7. Distill to obtain p-ethylbenzene-2,2,2-trichloroethanol.
8. Dissolve the trichloroethanol in methanol.
9. Add NaOH solution and stir.
10. Add dropwise 30% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution to the mixture.
11. Stir until the trichloroethanol disappears.
12. Acidify with HCl to obtain crystalline 4-ethylbenzoic acid.

General Description

4-Ethylbenzoic acid reacts with lanthanum nitrate in aqueous solution to yield the polymer catena-poly[[aqua(4-ethylbenzoic acid-κO)lanthanum(III)]-tri-μ-4-ethylbenzoato].