Process for the preparation of a mixture of an optionally substituted ester of cinnamic acid and an optionally substituted ester of beta-alcoxy-beta-phenylpropionic acid, and process for the preparation of optionally substituted cinnamic acid

摘要

A mixture of an optionally substituted cinnamic acid ester and an optionally substituted beta -alkoxy- beta -phenyl-propionic acid ester is prepared by reacting an optionally substituted benzaldehyde with an optionally substituted acetic acid ester and an alcoholate in the presence of an alcohol. The reaction can be carried out in a wide temperature range of from -20 DEG C. to +150 DEG C. The ester mixture can be hydrolyzed under acid or alkaline conditions to give optionally substituted cinnamic acid.