Methyl iodide → Methyl 4-fluoro-alpha-methylbenzeneacetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of the compound of Example 14A (23.2 g, 0.138 mol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (30 mL) was added dropwise over 30 min to a −78° C. solution of lithium hexamethyldisilazide (prepared from hexamethyldisilazane (35 mL, 0.165 mol) and n-butyllithium in hexane (2.5 M, 58 mL, 0.145 mol)) in dry tetrahydrofuran (100 mL). The solution was stirred at −78° C. for 1 h, and then a large excess of methyl iodide was added. The solution was stirred at −78° C. for 30 min and was then warmed to ambient temperature for 18 h. The solution was quenched by addition of saturated ammonium chloride solution and diluted with water. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo to remove tetrahydrofuran and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was extracted with water (2×) and saturated NaCl solution, followed by drying (Na2SO4) and concentration in vacuo. The residue was distilled under reduced pressure (70-75° C./0.5 mm Hg) to afford the title compound (21.9 g, 87%) as a colorless oil. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ 1.49 (d, J=7.35 Hz, 3 H) 3.70 (m, 4 H) 7.01 (m, 2 H) 7.27 (m, 2 H).

Provenance & Evidence