Sulfuric Acid → Methyl (2-chlorophenyl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 10.0 g (59 mmol) (2-chlorophenyl)acetic acid in MeOH (10 mL) was added 9.6 mL (88 mmol) of trimethyl orthoformate and 0.32 mL (6.0 mmol) of H2SO4. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 h then diluted with EtOAc and washed with H2O followed by a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 10.6 g (97%) of (2-chlorophenyl)-acetic acid methyl ester as a clear oil. The crude reaction product was not purified but used immediately.

Provenance & Evidence