Formation of hydroxy aryl carboxylic acids and esters

摘要

Hydroxy aryl carboxylic acids are formed by reacting a hydroxy aryl compound, such as phenol, with a ketone, such as acetone and carbon monoxide in the presence of a strong acid. The preferred embodiment is the one step formation of 2-methyl-2-(p-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid from phenol, acetone and carbon monoxide in the presence of hydrofluoric acid. When this reaction is conducted in the presence of methanol the corresponding methyl ester is formed.