Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate

Chemical Properties

clear colorless to light yellow liquid

Chemical Properties

Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate has an ethereal, rum, fruity, floral odor.

Occurrence

Reported found in rum, passion fruit, plum brandy, caja fruit (Spondias lutea L.) and checkur (Alpinia sessilis).

Uses

Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate is used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient intermediate. It is also used in the synthesis of pyrimidine based inhibitors of cyclin-dependant kinases.

Preparation

By hydrogenation of the corresponding ethyl cinnamate in the presence of nickel in alcohol solution.

Definition

ChEBI: Ethyl 3-phenylpropanoate is a fatty acid ester.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 17 to 40 ppb

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 50, p. 3406, 1985 DOI: 10.1021/jo00218a033
Synthetic Communications, 22, p. 2683, 1992 DOI: 10.1080/00397919208021668
Tetrahedron Letters, 42, p. 781, 2001 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)02176-6

General Description

Clear colorless liquid.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides.

Fire Hazard

The flash point of Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate has not been determined. but Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate is probably combustible.

Synthesis

Ethyl 3-phenylpropionate is synthesized by Hydrocinnamic acid and Ethanol by normal esterification.