Sodium Hydroxide → 3-(Methylthio)benzoic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

3-Methylsulfanyl-benzoic acid methyl ester (684 mg, 3.8 mmol) and 1N NaOH (5.6 mL, 5.6 mmol) in methanol (8 mL) and THF (8 mL) were heated at 70° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated and then the residue was diluted with water. After acidification with 1N HCl to pH˜2, the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and then washed with water and saturated brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to afford 3-methylsulfanyl-benzoic acid (616 mg, 97%, white solid). 1H NMR (DMSO), δ (ppm): 13.1 (bs, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.70 (d, 1H), 7.51 (d, 1H), 7.44 (t, 1H), 2.52 (s, 3H).

Provenance & Evidence