Benzene → 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1-methyl ester, potassium salt (1:1)

Reaction equation

[OH-].[K+:2].[C:3]([O:15]C)(=[O:14])[C:4]1[CH:13]=[CH:12][C:7]([C:8]([O:10][CH3:11])=[O:9])=[CH:6][CH:5]=1.C1C=CC=CC=1>CO>[C:8]([O:10][CH3:11])(=[O:9])[C:7]1[CH:12]=[CH:13][C:4]([C:3]([O-:15])=[O:14])=[CH:5][CH:6]=1.[K+:2]

Participants

Procedure

Potassium monomethyl terephthalate was prepared by adding dropwise a solution of 85.5 grams (1.286 mole) potassium hydroxide (85% pellets) in 675 ml methanol to a stirred solution of 250 grams (1.286 mole) of dimethyl terephthalate in 1600 ml. of benzene at 60° C. over 1 hour. The mixture was refluxed for 15 minutes, cooled, and filtered. The white solid on the filter was washed with acetone and sucked dry. It weighed 263 grams (93 mole % yield). It did not melt below 400° C.