Hydrochloric Acid → 3'-Chloro-4'-methoxyacetophenone

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 30 grams (210 millimoles) of orthochloroanisole and 19.8 grams (252 millimoles) of acetyl chloride was dissolved in 400 milliliters of methylene chloride, and then 33.6 grams (252 millimoles) of anhydrous aluminum chloride was gradually added thereto while cooling with ice and stirring. The resulting mixture was further stirred for 3 hours while cooling with ice. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. Then the reaction mixture was added to 1,200 milliliters of 5% hydrochloric acid, which was then allowed to separate into aqueous and organic layers. The organic layer thus obtained was washed with a 5% aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and, thereafter, the methylene chloride was distilled away under reduced pressure. Thus, as a product, 37.4 grams (202 millimoles) of 3-chloro-4-methoxyacetophenone was obtained (yield, 97%).

Provenance & Evidence