Question P2P phenylacetic acid synthesis without acetic anhydride?

[kitboy]

Can anybody help me? Acetic anhydride is difficult to obtain and the easiest way to produce it is too contaminated with sulfur chlorides.

 

[fidelis]

"Lead acetate definitely works, and am convinced that calcium acetate/phenylacetate is equally as effective. Iron salts are alleged to work for ketone synthesis from mixed carboxylic acids. But, the real answer is: Tube Furnace" (from this reddit post)

helpful vespiary discussion, if ur interested ^_^