Methanol → Methyl 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of (3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-acetic acid (14.0 g, 0.07 mol) in methanol (71 mL) was treated with a catalytic amount of concentrated sulfuric acid. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 12 h. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo. Flash chromatography (Merck Silica gel 60, 230–400 mesh, 50/50 hexanes/ethyl acetate) afforded (3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-acetic acid methyl ester (15.0 g, quant.) as a white solid: mp 30–32° C.; EI-HRMS m/e calcd for C9H8Cl2O2 (M+) 217.9901, found 217.9907.

Provenance & Evidence