Water → 4-Chloromethyl-2-phenylbenzoic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 10.5 g (43.3 mmol) of methyl 4-hydroxymethyl-2-phenylbenzoate in 50 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide was added 4.5 mL (62 mmol) of thionyl chloride, and 2.0 g (47 mmol) of lithium chloride. The reaction was complete upon dissolution of the lithium chloride. The solution was poured into 350 mL of water, then extracted with diethyl ether (3×100 mL). The combined diethyl ether layers were back extracted with water (2×100 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (1×100 mL), and brine (1×100 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to 11.1 g (98%) of 4-chloromethyl-2-phenylbenzoic acid methyl ester as a pale yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence