Write equation showing how to 2-phenylethanol could be prepared for each of the following starting materials:
a) ethyl 2-phenylethanoate
Thank you!
To prepare 2-phenylethanol from ethyl 2-phenylethanoate, we need to perform a hydrolysis reaction. This can be achieved by treating ethyl 2-phenylethanoate with a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by the addition of acid. Here is the equation:
Ethyl 2-phenylethanoate + NaOH → 2-Phenylethanol + Sodium ethanoate
C6H5COOC2H5 + NaOH → C6H5CH2OH + C2H5ONa
In this reaction, the ethyl ester group (COOC2H5) of ethyl 2-phenylethanoate is hydrolyzed by NaOH, resulting in the formation of 2-phenylethanol and sodium ethanoate (C2H5ONa). Sodium ethanoate is a salt and can be considered a byproduct in this case.
After the formation of 2-phenylethanol, it is usually separated and purified through various techniques, such as distillation or extraction, depending on the desired purity and requirements of the final product.