Austr. J. Chem., 25 (1972), p. 1329 The addition of Na to the reaction mixture should be performed rapidly in order to prevent overreduction to 3-methoxycyclohex-2-en-1-carboxylic acid. On larger scales (eg, 50 g acid), where rapid addition at −33°C becomes hazardous, Na is added to the liq NH 3 sln. at −78°C and, after addition, the sln. is stirred for 3 h at −33°C. ... The ester obtained in this was is crystalline (mp 7°C) at low temperature : unless purified by chromatography ...
