5-Amino-4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl Methoxyformate → (4-Fluoro-5-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) methyl carbonate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of sodium nitrite (1.63 g, 23 mmol) in water (19 ml) and ice (48 g) was added dropwsie to a solution of 2-fluoro-5-methoxycarbonyloxy-4-methylaniline (3.93 g, 20 mmol) in 35% sulphuric acid (48 ml) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes and a solution of copper(II)nitrate trihydrate (467 g, 1.93 mol) in water (780 ml) followed by copper(II)oxide (2.65 g, 18 mmol) were added. The solution was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and the solvent removed by evaporation. The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (8/2) to give 2-fluoro-5-methoxycarbonyloxy-4-methylphenol (2.13 g, 53%) as a yellow solid.

Provenance & Evidence