Phase-Transfer-Catalyzed Synthesis of Butyl 4-Methoxyphenylacetate and Its Simultaneous Hydrolysis by Potassium Hydroxide in Oil–Water Biphasic System

Abstract

Herein, we report for the first time simultaneous hydrolysis during the phase-transfer-catalyzed synthesis of butyl 4-methoxyphenylacetate using potassium hydroxide in biphasic medium. Effect of operating parameters on the reaction is presented. The yield of ester increases with the increase in the agitation speed up to 500 rpm and above that the conversion is not influenced by the agitation speed. At higher concentration of base, the hydrolysis product is more favored. Lower temperature and larger volume of water favors the esterfication. At high concentration of catalyst, sharp decrease in the yield of the ester is noticed. In the presence of highly polar solvents, the conversion of ester increases initially and then there was a sharp decrease. Rational explanations to account for the phenomena based on the results are made.