Sulfuric Acid → 3-Acetoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Acetic acid (8750 mL), 3-hydroxy-2-methylbenzoic acid (3500 g), and sulfuric acid (70 mL) were charged into a 22 liter reactor. The reactor contents were stirred to give a homogeneous mixture. The mixture exothermed to 36° C. Acetic anhydride (2390 mL) was added to the mixture in the 22 L reactor. An exotherm warmed the reactor contents from 36 to 44° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for two hours (reactor contents allowed to cool slowly). The reaction was tested for complete conversion of the starting material by TLC. The reaction mixture was generally a tan slurry at the completion of the reaction.

Provenance & Evidence