Ethanol → Ethyl 4-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of commercially available 4-methyl-3-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid (24.5 g, 120 mmol) and conc. sulfuric acid (6.5 ml) in dry ethanol (245 ml) is refluxed for 23 h. After reaching room temperature the solvent is evaporated and the residue is neutralized by addition of saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate (3×40 ml). The organic extracts are combined, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated to dryness to afford a pale yellow oil: HPLC: tR=7.15 min (purity: >96%, gradient A), ESI-MS: 233.3 [MH]+.

Provenance & Evidence