An improved process for preparation of cinnamic acid esters

摘要

A process for the preparation of a cinnamic acid ester comprises condensing a benzaldehyde with an acetic acid ester in the presence of a base. The reaction mixture is then treated, without adding an additional solvent or after adding an additional solvent, with an acid to convert a 3-alkoxy-3-phenylpropionic acid ester in the reaction mixture into a corresponding cinnamic acid ester. This procedure allows cinnamic acid ester derivatives of high-purity to be obtained in good yield.