Structure of 2-acetoxy-3-(3-methoxy-4-acetoxy-5-chlorophenyl)-propenoic acid

Abstract

2-Acetoxy-3-(3-methoxy-4-acetoxy-5-chlorophenyl)-propenoic acid 2 was synthesized from the azlactone of 5-chlorovanillin and its structure confirmed by X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. Compound 2 crystallized with a molecule of acetic acid in the P-1(#2) space group (Z = 2) and with cell dimensions a = 6.303(2), b = 9.779(1), c = 15.528(3) A, α = 101.46(2), β = 100.71(2) and γ = 90.21(2)°. This study reveals the formation of an α-acetoxy propenoic acid with a trans extended side acid side chain conformation. The 1H and 13C NMR spectral values of 2 also show the existence of the enolic ester in solution.