p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate → Methyl 4-cyano-2-methoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-cyano-2-methoxy benzoic acid (1.0 g, 5.65 mmol, Biogene) in methanol was reacted with p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (285.6 mg, 1.479 mmol) and heated to reflux for 16 hrs. The solvent was removed and the reaction residue was extracted with EtOAc, and washed with saturated sodium carbonate, water, and saturated NaCl, and dried over Na2SO4 to give 4-Cyano-2-methoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (1.04 g, 96%). This ester (1.01 g, 5.28 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was reacted with Raney Ni (3 spatula tips full, exact amount unknown, Aldrich) under 50 psi H2 in a Parr apparatus for 16 hrs. After filtering through Celite and concentrating, the crude mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography using methanol and methylene chloride to give 4-aminomethyl-2-methoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (385.7 mg, 37%).

Provenance & Evidence