Benzoic Acid → Methyl Benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution obtained by dissolving 4.2 g of potassium hydroxide in a mixed solvent of 15 ml of diethylene glycol (DEG) and 3 ml of water, 50 ml of ether was added. The temperature of a water bath was maintained at 45°-50° C. and when the ether began to be distilled out, a solution prepared by dissolving 8.8 g of isopropyl N-[(N-nitrosomethylamino)methyl]carbamate in 70 ml of ether was added dropwise thereto. The ether fraction rapidly changed to yellow. After adding dropwise for 15-20 minutes, ether was added dropwise in order to make the amount of ether in the flask constant. When about 70 ml of ether was added dropwise for 20 minutes, the distillate became colorless and the reaction was completed. To the distilled ether solution containing diazomethane, benzoic acid was added to produce methyl benzoate, and an excess of benzoic acid was back-titrated with 0.2 N NaOH. The amount of the diazomethane was 1.7 g (81% yield).

Provenance & Evidence