Methanol → methyl 4-chloro-3-fluorobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-chloro-3-fluoro benzoic acid (450.0 g, 2.586 mol, Fluororochem, Derbyshire, UK) in methanol (4.5 L) was cooled to 0° C. and thionyl chloride (450.0 mL) was added over 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred for 12 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction was monitored by TLC. Upon completion, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was quenched with 1.0 M sodium bicarbonate solution (500 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2×5.0 L). The combined organic layer was washed with brine (2.5 L), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure afforded the title compound as light brown solid. The crude compound was used in the next step without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence