Yield:-

Reaction Conditions:

in diethyl ether;ethanol

Steps:

2.B B.
B. Preparation of ethyl 4-(p-n-butylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoate 4-(p-n-Butylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid (9.l0g, 0.039mol) was dissolved in ethanol (l50ml) and hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled through the solution for about l hour. After saturating the solution it was refluxed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in diethyl ether, washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure gave the title compound (l0.l5g, l00%) as a pale yellow oil.

References:

IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES PLC EP251466, 1989, A3