Methyl Salicylate → Methyl 2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethoxy)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a mixture of methyl salicylate (100 g, 657 mmol) and anhydrous K2CO3 (360 g, 2.605 mol) in anhydrous acetone (1000 ml) was added methyl chloroacetate (94 g, 866 mmol) and refluxed for 36 hours. The acetone was distilled off and water (1200 ml) was added. Crude 1 was extracted into chloroform, dried over Na2SO4 distilled and purified by column chromatography on silica gel using hexane as eluant to give pure 1 (25 grams, 17%) as a light yellow syrup.

Provenance & Evidence