P-Toluic Acid → 3,5-Dichloro-4-methylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of p-toluic acid (95.0 g,0.698 mole) in methylene chloride (1 liter), was added aluminum chloride (260.0 g,1.948 mole), portionwise, while keeping the reaction temperature below 10° C. When the addition was completed, chlorine gas was bubbled in at such a rate as to keep the temperature below 10° C. The reaction was followed by GLC. After about 4 hours most of the starting material had been converted to the expected compound. The resulting mixture was poured into ice and concentrated hydrochloric acid, and then extracted with ethyl acetate several times. The combined organic layers were washed with water and then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Removing the solvent in the rotavap yielded the crude product as a white solid. Recrystalization from acetone/water yielded 3,5-dichloro-4-methylbenzoic acid with minor impurities 115.4 g (81% yield of product).

Provenance & Evidence