A New Synthesis of Alpha-Hydroxycarboxylates and 2-Hydroxybenzoates

Abstract

<em>A new synthesis of </em><em>a</em><em>-hydroxycarboxylates and 2-hydroxybenzoates based on the reaction of acetonides of </em><em>a</em><em>-hydroxycarboxylic acids and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid with sodium alkoxides in the corresponding alcohols as solvent is described. In general, decreasing the steric hindrance of the reactants and increasing the boiling points of alcohols increased the yields and decreased the required time for the reactions.</em>