Methyl iodide → Methyl (E)-3-fluorocinnamate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a mixture of trans-3-fluorocinnamic acid (50 g, 300 mmol) and iodomethane (300 mL) in acetone (1 L) was added portionwise cesium carbonate (147 g, 450 mmol, 1.5 equiv.), and the mixture was heated at 65° C. for 1.5 hours in a sealed reaction vessel. Upon cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (1 L), filtered through a pad of silica gel, and concentrated to give 47.33 g (87%) of trans-3-fluorocinnamic acid methyl ester as a colorless oil. MS (ES) m/z 180.0 (M+).

Provenance & Evidence