Water → Methyl 4-(benzyloxy)-3-methoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of methyl vanillate (7.29 g, 40 mmol) in dimethylformamide (25 mL), potassium carbonate (8.29 g, 60 mmol) and benzyl bromide (5.26 mL, 44 mmol) were added. The mixture was heated to 100° C. for 3 h. After cooling to r.t., water was added and the product was extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with water and brine. After drying over Na2SO4, the solvent was removed to yield methyl 4-benzyloxy-3-methoxybenzoate (10.8 g, 39.7 mmol, 99%) as a grey solid which was used without further purification. LC/ESI-MS: m/z=273 [M+H]+; Rt=3.82 min.

Provenance & Evidence