Methanol → Benzeneacetic acid, 3,4-dimethoxy-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

3,4-Dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (3 g, 0.0153 mol) was dissolved in methanol (50 ml) and, thereafter, conc. sulfuric acid (0.05 ml) was added to the resulting solution, followed by heating at the reflux temperature for 2 h. Thereafter, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was neutralized with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was dried with sodium sulfate, followed by evaporation of the solvent and drying under vacuum to yield the oil compound methyl 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetate (3.2 g) as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence