Sulfuric Acid → Methyl 6-methylpyridine-2-carboxylate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Concentrated sulfuric acid (2 mL) was added to a solution of 6-methylpicolinic acid (1.97 g; 13.65 mmol) in methanol (50 mL). The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for 22 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solution was made alkaline by addition of an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. The methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure, water was added and the mixture was extracted three times with dichloromethane. Combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 1.81 g (88%) of methyl 6-methylpicolinate as an oil.

Provenance & Evidence