Methanol → methyl 4-methylnicotinate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-methylnicotinic acid (2.00 g, 14.6 mmol) and concentrated H2SO4 (4.66 mL, 87.6 mmol) in MeOH (50 mL) was heated at about 60° C. for about 16 h. The reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure then partitioned with EtOAc (150 mL) and saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (200 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to a constant weight to afford methyl 4-methylnicotinate as a clear liquid (2.30 g, 94%): LC/MS (Table 2, Method a) Rt=1.67 min; MS m/z: 152 (M+H)+.

Provenance & Evidence