Methanol → Methyl 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of (3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-acetic acid (5.0 g, 0.029 mol) in methanol (30.0 mL) was treated with a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 h. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo. Flash chromatography (Merck Silica gel 60, 230-400 mesh, 50/50 hexanes/ethyl acetate) afforded (3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-acetic acid methyl ester (5.15 g, 95.2%) as a clear oil: EI-HRMS m/e calcd for C9H8F2O2 (M+) 186.0493, found 186.0492.

Provenance & Evidence