452-14-2

3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenylacetonitrile (42 g, 0.25 mol) was heated for 5 h with 32 g of potassium hydroxide solution in 120 mL of ethanol and 30 mL of water. After the distillation of ethanol, the residue was diluted with water to a volume of 175 mL. The solution was filtered over the charcoal, and the filtrate was acidified by 50 percent H2SO4. The resulting solid was filtered and dried, yielding 3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenylacetic acid.