Content Handbook E

Outline of method

Benzoic acid is heated under reflux with a mixture of 2-methylpropan-1-ol, cyclohexane and sulphuric acid to give isobutyl benzoate. The reaction product is poured into water and the benzoate is extracted with diethyl ether. The ether solution is dried over magnesium sulphate. The excess benzene and ether are distilled off and the isobutyl benzoate separated from the residue by fractional distillation under vacuum.