Methanol → Methyl 2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoic acid (24 g) was dissolved in methanol (240 ml) and concentrated sulfuric acid (8 ml). The mixture was stirred at reflux overnight. Upon cooling the ester crystallized out. The material was isolated by filtration to afford methyl 2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoate as a white solid (19.0 g, 74% yield). A second crop of material (4.92 g, 19% yield) was isolated upon concentration and addition of water to the mother liquor.

Provenance & Evidence