Methanol → Methyl 4-chloro-2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 3.1 g of 4-chloro-5-nitro-o-anisic acid in methanol (100 ml) was added a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid and the resulting mixture was heated under reflux for 3 hours. Then the reaction mixture was poured into ice/water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After distilling off the solvent under reduced pressure, 3.3 g of methyl 4-chloro-5-nitro-o-anisate was obtained as pale yellow crystals.

Provenance & Evidence