Ethanol → Benzoic acid, 3-fluoro-4-methyl-, ethyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution (50 mL) of 3-fluoro-4-methylbenzoic acid (5.0 g, 32 mmol) in ethanol was added conc. sulfuric acid (0.25 mL), and the mixture was heated under reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, and neutralized with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The obtained organic layer was washed with saturated brine, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained crude product was purified by column chromatography (hexane-hexane/ethyl acetate=80/20) to give the title compound as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence