Ethanol → Ethyl 5-chloro-2-methylbenzoate

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Reaction Steps

5-chloro-2-methylbenzoic acid (5.04 g, 29.5 mmol) was dissolved in 100 mL ethanol in a 250 mL round bottom flask fitted with a water condenser. 0.5 mL concentrated sulfuric acid was added and the solution heated to reflux. The solution was heated for 48 h and cooled to ambient temperature. The ethanol was removed under reduced pressure. The resultant oil was taken up in 300 mL diethyl ether and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2×300 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 5.12 (87%) of ethyl 5-chloro-2-methylbenzoate as a clear oil.

Provenance & Evidence