3-Methylbenzoic acid → Methoxyphenone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

m-Toluic acid (13.6 g, 0.10 mole) and o-methylanisole (12.2 g, 0.10 mole) are combined in 50 ml of polyphosphoric acid (PPA) and warmed with stirring to 80°C for 2 hours. The cooled reaction mixture is then poured into ice water and extracted into ethyl acetate (200 ml) and washed with 5% sodium hydroxide to give 14.4 g of product (60%), m.p. 62°-4°C, upon removal of the solvent in vacuo.

Provenance & Evidence