Methanol → Methyl 2-chloro-3-methylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2-chloro-3-methylbenzoic acid (25.0 g, 0.146 mol), concentrated sulfuric acid (2 mL) and methanol (160 mL) was stirred at 80° C. for 3 hr. The reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with ethyl acetate and neutralized with 8N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The organic layer was separated, washed with saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and passed through a pad filled with basic silica gel for filtration. The solvent was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (18.0 g, 66%) as a pale-orange oil. The obtained compound was used in the next reaction without a further purification.

Provenance & Evidence