Methanol → (R)-Methyl 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyacetate

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Reaction Steps

15 g of (R)-2-chloromandelic acid was mixed with methanol (CH3OH, 150 ml) and phosphorus chloride oxide (POCl3, 0.76 ml) in a flask by stirring using a magnetic stirrer at the room temperature for 6 hours. When the reaction was completed, the obtained product was washed with an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) and ethylacetate (EA). Then, the organic layer was dehydrated with anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), filtrated, and concented under reduced pressure. The concentrated residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography to produce the title compound (15.64 g, yield 95%).

Provenance & Evidence