Methanol → Methyl 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (10.0 g) in methanol (100 mL) was added conc. sulfuric acid (10 mL) under ice-water cooling, and the mixture was heated for 15 hours under reflux. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The separated organic layer was washed with an aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water and brine. The resultant was dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to give methyl 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoate as a brown oil (9.43 g).

Provenance & Evidence