Synthesis of 2-halobenzyl alkanoic acid

A method for synthesizing a compound of Formula I:

• which comprises:
• (i) providing a first reactant comprising salt of an acid of Formula II (R-COOH), wherein X is any halogen and R is C6 to C14 aryl or C6 to C20 alkyl in a non-interfering solvent;
• (ii) combining said step (i) first reactant with a second reactant comprising an alkali metal salt of a non-nucleophilic strong base and a non-interfering solvent which may be the same as or different from said first reaction mixture non-interfering solvent, wherein a step (ii) reaction mixture is provided;
• (iii) providing a solution of 2-halobenzyl halide in a non-interfering solvent which may be the same as or different from said step (i) or step (ii) non-interfering solvents;
• and
• (iv) adding said step (ii) first reaction mixture to said step (iii) 2-halobenzyl halide solution, wherein a step (iv) reaction mixture-containing a Formula I compound is produced.