Hydrochloric Acid → Ecgonine methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

Cocaine hydrochloride (2.0 g) was dissolved in distilled water (100 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (8.0 ml) and refluxed for 19 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the benzoic acid precipitated and was filtered. The filtrate was washed with chloroform to remove any remaining benzoic acid. The aqueous solution was evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue (ecgonine hydrochloride) was esterified by refluxing in methanolic hydrogen chloride (150 ml) for 17 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo to yield ecgonine methyl ester as an oil.

Provenance & Evidence