Methanol → Methyl p-tert-butylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

The reactant ester, methyl p-(t-butyl)-benzoate is prepared by refluxing a mixture of 178 g (1 mol) p-t-butyl benzoic acid, 96 g (3 mol) methanol, 300 ml dichloroethane, and 15 ml concentrated sulfuric acid for a 21 hour period. This mixture is washed four times with 500 ml water and 500 ml of a 10% sodium carbonate solution. The product is dried over calcium chloride and distilled, yielding 161 g of the ester boiling at 258°-262° C.

Provenance & Evidence