Synthesis of β-(4-chlorophenyl) lactic acid

Abstract

β-(4-chlorophenyl)lactic acid was synthetized via four steps of reaction, knoevenagel condensation, oxazolone ring-opening, hydrolysis and clemmensen reduction, staring from commercially available compound 4-chlorobenzaldehyde. β-(4-chlorophenyl) lactic acid and its mid-products were identified with 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. The spectra and physical constants were concordant with the corresponding structures and properties. The synthetic route we used has the advantages of abundant materials, simple process, mild reaction, without special equipments, much lower costs, ect.