Methanol → Methyl 4-sulfanylbenzoate

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (1.5 g) in methanol (20 mL) is added conc. sulfuric acid (0.5 mL) and the mixture is refluxed under heating overnight. The reaction mixture is evaporated to remove solvent and the residue is neutralized with a saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract is concentrated in vacuo to give methyl 4-mercaptobenzoate (1.6 g, yield; 99%) as a colorless oil. MS (APCI) m/z: 167 [M−H]−

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