On the Synthesis of Phenylacetic Acid
If you want to make phenylacetic acid, there are many ways, and the methods are different. You must study it in detail, and follow its principles and rules before it can be achieved.

One of the methods can be hydrolyzed by benzonitrile. The benzonitrile is co-placed in a kettle with a strong alkali and heated to make the hydrolysis change. In the reaction, the nitrile group gradually converts to a carboxyl group, and the benzonitrile becomes the genus phenylacetic acid. In this process, the amount of alkali, the degree of heat, and the duration of time are all important factors. If the amount of alkali is insufficient, the hydrolysis will be difficult to complete; if the heat is inappropriate, the reaction will be slow or intense and uncontrollable; if the time is too long, Therefore, when handling, we must carefully observe all kinds of variables in order to achieve accuracy.

Second, acetophenone is used as the beginning, and this purpose can also be achieved by haloform reaction. First, acetophenone and halogen interact in the alkali solution, and the halogen gradually replaces the hydrogen of its methyl group. Then, under suitable conditions, the halogenated acetophenone encounters a strong base, and the molecules are rearranged, the carbon frame is reorganized, and finally the phenylacetic acid is obtained. During this journey, the selection of halogen, the concentration of the alkali solution, and the order of the reaction should not be ignored. The halogen activity is different, and the reaction rate and the quality of the product are also different; the alkali is not thick or light, or the side reactions are clustered; the reaction steps are reversed, and it may be difficult to achieve the expected thing.

Third, take benzyl halide and sodium cyanide as materials, through two steps of substitution and hydrolysis. First, benzyl halide and sodium cyanide are substituted in an appropriate medium, and the halogen atom is replaced by a cyanyl group to obtain benzyl nitrile. After the previous method, hydrolyze benzyl nitrile to obtain phenylacetic acid. In this way, the purity of benzyl halide, the properties of sodium cyanide, and the suitability of the medium are all critical to success or failure. If benzyl halide contains heterogeneity, the product is impure; if the quality of sodium cyanide is poor, the reaction may be difficult to start; if the medium is not suitable, the reaction is difficult to go forward.

All these methods have advantages and disadvantages. In actual operation, when considering the ease of materials, the level of cost, the complexity of the process, the amount of yield, etc., weigh and choose. And in the process of experimentation, it is necessary to strictly abide by the procedures, carefully deal with dangerous products, prevent accidents, and protect the safety of people and the environment. In this way, the synthesis of phenylacetic acid can achieve what it wants and achieve its success.