Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

Organic Syntheses by Unknown
page 68 of 106 (64%)
[4] D. R. P. 25,469; Frdl. 1, 335 (1883).

[5] Ber. 33, 806 (1900).

[6] J Chem. Soc. 32, 47 (1877); Ann. 189, 146 (1877).



XVII

PHENYLACETIC ACID

C6H5CH2CN + 2H2O + H2SO4--> C6H5CH2CO2H + NH4HSO4

Prepared by ROGER ADAMS and A. F. THAL. Checked by O. KAMM and
A. O. MATTHEWS.

1. Procedure

IN a 5-l. round-bottom flask, fitted with a mechanical stirrer
and reflux condenser, are mixed 1150 cc. of water, 840 cc.
of commercial sulfuric acid and 700 g. of benzyl cyanide
(preparation III, p. 9). The mixture is heated under a reflux condenser
and stirred for three hours, cooled slightly and then poured into 2 l.
of cold water. The mixture should be stirred so that a solid
cake is not formed; the phenylacetic acid is then filtered off.
This crude material should be melted under water and washed
by decantation several times with hot water. These washings,
on cooling, deposit a small amount of phenylacetic acid which
is filtered off and added to the main portion of material.
DigitalOcean Referral Badge