Ethyl Acetate → 3-Methyl-4-phenoxyaniline

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 3-methyl-4-phenoxynitrobenzene (2) (548 g, 2.39 moles, 1.0 eq.) in methanol (5 L) was added 10% Pd/C (100 g, 50% wet, 46.98 mmol, 0.02 eq.). Then the reaction mixture was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (60-80 psi) for 15-16 hours at room temperature in a 2 gallon Parr hydrogenator. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (50% ethyl acetate in hexanes, sm Rf=0.69, pr Rf=0.47, UV visible). Then the reaction mixture was filtered through Celite, and the solid was washed with excess methanol. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 3-methyl-4-phenoxyaniline as a pale brown viscous liquid (451.0 g, 95%). The 3-methyl-4-phenoxyaniline was found to be pure by 1H and 13C NMR spectra, and used as such in the next reaction

Provenance & Evidence