Formic Acid → Methyl 2-(3-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)propanoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Formic acid (20.8 mL, 1 eq) was added to methyl 2-(3-chloro-4-(methylthio)phenyl)propanoate (3.2 g, crude) and cooled to 0° C. Hydrogen peroxide (4.48 mL, 3 eq) was added drop wise at 0° C. and the reaction mass was stirred for overnight at room temperature. Progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (30% ethyl acetate/hexane, Rf˜0.3). On completion of the reaction, the contents were cooled to 0° C., water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 mL). The combined extract was washed with NaHCO3 solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain methyl 2-(3-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)propanoate as a colorless thick liquid (3.2 g, crude). Crude product obtained was directly used for the next step.

Provenance & Evidence