Methanol → Methyl 2-methyl-3-(methylsulfanyl)propanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of methyl 2-methyl-3-mercaptoproponate (1.34 g, 10 mmol) and methanol (0.42 g, 10 mmole) is added to a mixture of bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)triphenylphosphorane (11 mmole) [prepared in situ from triphenylphosphine (12 mmole) and sodium 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxide (24 mmole) in dry diethyl ether (20 ml)] in dichloromethane (20 ml). After 20 hours stirring at room temperature the mixture is poured into water and extracted with ether. The ether extract is washed with 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solution is evaporated, solids removed byy filtration and the oily residue purified by vacuum distillation yielding methyl-3-methylthio-2-methylpropanoate.

Provenance & Evidence