Methanol → Methyl 2-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid (2.50 g, 11.25 mmol) in methanol (25 mL) was treated with concentrated sulfuric acid (4 drops). The resulting reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 15 h. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to 25° C. and then concentrated in vacuo to remove methanol. Flash chromatography (Merck Silica gel 60, 230-400 mesh, 1/1 hexaneslethyl acetate) afforded (3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acetic acid methyl ester (2.58 g, 97%) as a colorless oil: EI-HRMS m/e calcd for C10H8F4O2 (M+) 236.0460, found 236.0457.

Provenance & Evidence