Methanol → Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid (20.0 g, 0.132 mol) in methanol (200 ml) was cooled in an ice bath. Concentrated, H2SO4 (20 ml) was added cautiously and the reaction heated to reflux and held at reflux for 48 hours. The reaction was allowed to cool to ambient temperature, the solvent evaporated and the residue purified by chromatography (eluant: CH2Cl2) to give methyl 2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoate (19.76 g, 90%).

Provenance & Evidence