Methanol → Methyl 2-fluoro-4-methylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

15.4 g of 2-fluoro-4-methylbenzoic acid was dissolved in 200 mL of methanol, and 10.0 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid was added thereto, followed by heating with reflux overnight. The reaction liquid was cooled to room temperature and then concentrated to about 50 mL, and water was added thereto, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and saturated brine, and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated, and the obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=95:5 to 90:10) to obtain 15.2 g of methyl 2-fluoro-4-methylbenzoate.

Provenance & Evidence