Methanol → Methyl 4-hydroxy-2-methylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

2-Methyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid was heated in methanol under the influence of sulfuric acid catalyst to convert it into its methyl ester. One mole of the methyl 2-methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate thus obtained was reacted with two moles of hydrogen in the presence of palladium-carbon catalyst. This reaction was carried out in isopropyl alcohol at a temperature of 150°-170° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 20-40 kg/cm2. After the reaction mixture was filtered to recover the catalyst therefrom, the filtrate was distilled to obtain 3-methylcyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester as the distillate at 112°-120° C./5 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence