Ethyl Acetate → Ethyl 2-(3-fluoro-4-(methylthio)phenyl)-2-oxoacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of AlCl3 (9.2 g, 0.06 mol, 2 eq) in chloroform (50 mL) cooled at 0° C., ethyl (chlorocarbonyl)formate (7.3 g, 0.05 mol, 1.6 eq) was added drop wise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30-45 min at the same temperature. (2-fluorophenyl)(methyl)sulfane (5 g, crude) was added at 0° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature. Progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (5% ethyl acetate in n-hexane, Rf˜0.5). On completion of the reaction, crushed ice was added and the mixture was stirred for some time. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (2×50 mL). The combined extract was washed with NaHCO3 solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield ethyl 2-(3-fluoro-4-(methylthio)phenyl)-2-oxoacetate as an yellow colored liquid (5.5 g).

Provenance & Evidence