2,3-Dinitrophenol → 1-Methoxy-2,3-dinitrobenzene

A mixture of 2,3-dinitrophenol (5.43 mmol, 1 g), iodomethane (21.7 mmol, 1.35 mL) and K2CO3 (21.7 mmol, 2.99 g) was stirred at room temperature for 14 h. The reaction was then filtered through celite and the filter bed was washed with additional acetone. The filtrate was concentrated to provide 2,3-dinitroanisole (100%), which was dissolved in a mixture of EtOH/H2O (1:1, 20 mL) and Fe (19.4 mmol, 1.06 g) and concentrated HCl (8 drops) was added. The mixture was refluxed for 90 min., after which it was filtered through celite and the filter bed was washed with additional EtOH. The filtrate was concentrated and basified (pH>12) with 4 M NaOH and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2. The organic phase was then separated and washed with brine, dried MgSO4 and concentrated to provide 2,3-diaminoanisole 36b (0.65 g).