Methanol → Methyl 4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)benzoate

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Reaction Steps

A mixture of 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (3.0 g, 14.6 mmol) from example 1 and sulfuric acid (0.2 mL) in 100 mL of methanol was stirred at reflux for 18 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum. The crude material was dissolved in 100 mL of ethyl acetate and the solution was washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (3×15 mL), dried and evaporated to give 3.0 g (94%) of 1-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrolidin-2-one as a white solid, mp 118-120° C. (chloroform/ether).

Provenance & Evidence