Methanol → Methyl 2-Fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-fluoro-5-nitro-benzoic acid (3.702 g, 20 mmol) in anhydrous methanol (10.00 mL) was treated with 98% sulphuric acid and the solution was heated to reflux for 4 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL). The solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (3×10 mL), brine until neutrality ant then water, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. The solvent was removed under vacuum to afford a thick oil that started to crystallize. After adding n-hexane (3 mL) the crude was stored for 2 days in the fridge. The crystalline compound was filtered and washed with n-hexane to yield 3.147 g of the pure compound. By concentrating the mother liquors a second crop was obtained (390 mg) (y=89%).

Provenance & Evidence