Water → 6-Methyl-2-nitrophenylpyruvic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 15.1 g (0.10 mol) of 2-methyl-3-nitrotoluene and 14.6 g (0.10 mol) of diethyl oxalate in 10 ml of ethanol was added to a solution of 11.2 g (0.10 mol) of potassium tert-butoxide in 50 ml of ethanol. After stirring at room temperature for 1.5 hour, the reaction mixture was refluxed for 1.5 hour. After 60 ml of water was added to the reaction mixture, the mixture was refluxed for further an hour. After cooling, ice water was poured onto the reaction mixture followed by washing twice with ethyl acetate. The aqueous layer was acidified with conc. hydrochloric acid and then extracted three times with chloroform. The combined extracts were washed with water. After drying over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure to give 10.4 g (46.6%) of the desired 6-methyl-2-nitrophenylpyruvic acid.

Provenance & Evidence