Methanol → Methyl 2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Sulfuric acid (conc., 1 mL) was added to a solution of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetic acid (50.0 g, 0.18 mol) in methanol (400 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 week. The solvent was evaporated and ethyl acetate (100 mL) and aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (saturated, 600 mL) were added. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×300 mL). The combined organic fractions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (49.0 g, 93%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.80 (1H, s), 7.75 (2H, s), 3.77 (2H, s), and 3.75 (3H, s).

Provenance & Evidence