Study on synthesis of ethyl R-(+)-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy) propionate

The starting material D-lactic acid after esterification reacted with toluenesulfonyl chloride to yield ethyl S-2-chloro-popionate,which was then subjected to condensation with hydroquinone using KOH as the deacdifying agent to yield ethyl R-(+)-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy) propionate.The product yield was increased from 76% to 92%(with its GC purity reaching 96%) after improving the reagents,raw materials,and operating method.The product structure was characterized by IR spectroscopy and 1HNMR,and the product purity was characterized by polarimerty and gas chromatography.This synthesis process features ready availability of raw materials,mild operating regime,high product yield,and insignificant environmental pollution,which is suitable for industrialized production.