2-Chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride → 3-(Trifluoromethyl)-4-(cyclopropylmethoxy)nitrobenzene

To a cooled (10° C.) solution containing 22.5 g (0.1 mole) of 3-(trifluoromethyl)-4-chloronitrobenzene in 100 ml of DMSO was added with stirring at ambient temperature a solution containing 0.11 mole of sodium cyclopropylmethoxide (prepared by dissolving 4.9 g of 57% sodium hydride in 7.9 g of cyclopropylmethanol and 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran) in 100 ml of DMSO. The reaction mixture was heated at 50° C. for one hour, poured into ice water and filtered. Recrystallization of the filter cake from hexane gave 11.0 g (42%) of product as a white crystalline solid, m.p. 41°-44° C.