Sulfuric Acid → Methyl 5-hydroxy-2-methylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

4.6 g (28 mmol) of methyl 3-amino-6-methylbenzoate are dissolved in 50 ml of THF and 50 ml of 1M sulphuric acid and then the reaction medium is cooled to 0° C. A solution of sodium nitrite (2.3 g, 33.6 mmol) in 10 ml of water is then added dropwise and then the medium is stirred for 20 minutes. 15 ml of pure sulphuric acid are then added and the reaction medium is heated under reflux for 2 hours, poured into 500 ml of water and extracted with ethyl ether. The organic phases are dried, concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue obtained is dissolved in 100 ml of methanol. 3 ml of sulphuric acid are added and the reaction medium is heated under reflux for 14 hours, cooled, treated with water and ethyl ether. After extraction with ethyl ether, the organic phases are combined, dried over magnesium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. After purification on a silica column (ethyl acetate 30-heptane 70), a brown oil is obtained (m=1.2 g; Y=25%).

Provenance & Evidence