Ethyl phenylacetate may be prepared by the treatment of benzyl
cyanide with alcohol and hydrochloric acid gas.[1] It is much more
convenient in the laboratory, however, to use sulfuric acid in place
of hydrochloric acid; in fact, the yields obtained are better
than those recorded in the literature. This ester may also be
made by the esterification of phenylacetic acid with hydrochloric
acid and alcohol;[2] or with alcohol and sulfuric acid;[3]
the following less important methods of preparation may be mentioned;
the action of benzyl magnesium chloride upon ethyl chlorocarbonate,[4]
and the action of copper on a mixture of bromobenzene and ethyl
chloroacetate at 180'0.[5]
[1] Ber. 20, 592 (1887); Ann. 296, 361 (1897)
[2] Ber. 2, 208 (1869).
[3] Ann. 296, 2, footnote (1897); Compt. rend. 152, 1855 (1911).
[4] Ber. 36, 3088 (1903).
[5] Ber. 2, 738 (1869).