4-Methoxyphenylacetic acid belongs to the class of aryl alkanoic acids, with a broad-spectrum of applications, which includes its role as an intermediate in synthetic organic chemistry, building block material for the production of a variety of essential drugs, an additive in the manufacture of unsubstituted indigo dyes and corrosion inhibitor for aluminum in acidic and alkaline solutions. It is a structural analog of 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)propanoic acid, reported to occur in cocoa products
4-Methoxyphenylacetic acid can be used:
•To prepare methyl 4-methoxyphenylacetate by esterification with dimethyl carbonate using mesoporous sulfated zirconia catalyst.
•As a ligand to synthesize pharmacologically important dinuclear gallium(III) and phenyltin(IV) carboxylate metal complexes.
•As a reactant to synthesize hydroxylated (E)-stilbenes by reacting with substituted benzaldehydes via Perkin reaction.
