Methyl iodide → Dimethyl 2-(methylthio)-1-phenyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Sodium methoxide (1.8 g; 0.033 mol) was slowly added to a suspension of diethyl 2-mercapto-1-phenyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate (10 g; 0.031 mol) in absolute methanol (100 mL) then iodomethane (5 g; 0.035 mol) was added. The mixture was allowed to stir overnight, additional iodomethane (5 g; 0.035 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The methanol was removed in vacuo and ice-cold water was added to the residue. The mixture was filtered, the collected solid was washed with water and dried to give 7.6 g (80%) of pure dimethyl 2-(methylthio)-1-phenyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate (mp 121°-122° C).

Provenance & Evidence