To a solution of butyl 3-(pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-enoate (70 g, 341 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in ethanol (150 mL) was added a solution of potassium hydroxide (40 g, 712.94 mmol, 2.09 equiv) in water (150 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. Upon completion of the reaction, the pH of the solution was adjusted to 6 with 12 M hydrochloric acid.The precipitate was collected by filtration to give 50 g (98% yield) of trans-3-(3-pyridyl)acrylic acid as an off-white solid.LCMS analysis (Method C, electrospray ionization, m/z): retention time = 0.78 min, m/z = 149.9 [M+H]+.
