Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Amino-3-methoxyphenol

Participants

Reaction Steps

Sulphanilic acid (43.3 g) and anhydrous sodium carbonate (13.25 g) were dissolved in water (250 ml) and cooled to 15 C. Sodium nitrite (18.5 g) in water (100 ml) was added and the mixture was immediately poured onto a mixture of ice (300 ml) and hydrochloric acid (54 ml), and stirred at 0° for 20 minutes. The suspension was then added to a cooled solution of 3-methoxyphenol (31 g) and sodium hydroxide (55 g) in water (300 ml). The resulting deep red solution was stirred for 1 hour then heated to 70°. Sodium dithionite was added portionwise until the colour discharged on cooling, crystals of 4-amino-3-methoxyphenol (23 g, 66%) formed which were filtered, washed with water and dried, m.p. 168°-170°.

Provenance & Evidence