2-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-one

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

Procedure: A solution comprising 5 parts of α-chloropropiophenone and 3 parts of anyhydrous potassium carbonate in 300 parts of anhydrous methyl alcohol was irradiated by means of a medium pressure 200W mercury vapour lamp for 6 hours at 30° C. The solvent was removed by distillation and the resulting methyl ester of α-phenyl propionic acid was treated with 10% w/v aqueous alcoholic sodium hydroxide at 100° C. for 3 hours to effect hydrolysis and thereby to yield 3.2 parts of α-phenyl propionic acid b.p. 125° C. at 20 mm mercury. The solvent was removed by distillation the resulting methyl ester of α-phenyl propionic acid was treated with 10% w/v aqueous alcoholic sodium hydroxide at 100° C. for 3 hours hydrolysis