[(E)-3-phenylprop-2-enyl] acetate

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: A solution of sodium trichloroacetate (27.8 g, 150 mmol) in diglyme (20 ml) was added dropwise over 1 hour to a solution of trans-cinnamyl acetate (8.81 g, 50 mmol) in diglyme (80 ml) at 120° C. to 135° C. and the reaction mixture was heated at 120° C. to 125° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, poured into water (300 ml), extracted with n-hexane (300 ml+3×50 ml) and dried over MgSO4. The solvent was removed and the residue was distilled under vacuum affording the title compound (11.0 g, 76% yield, b.p. 104-105° C. (0.15 mmHg)). the reaction mixture was heated at 120° C. to 125° C. for 1 hour extracted with n-hexane (300 ml+3×50 ml) dried over MgSO4 The solvent was removed the residue was distilled under vacuum