2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid → Methyl 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (33.0 g, 214 mmol) in methanol (200 mL) was added sulfuric acid (5.0 mL) and the mixture was refluxed for 14 hours. The solvent was then distilled off under reduced pressure. To that residue was added water, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO4, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 35.0 g of methyl 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate. A mixture of this compound (35.0 g, 208 mmol), ethyl bromoacetate (70.0 g, 420 mmol), and potassium carbonate (58.0 g, 420 mmol) in acetone (400 mL) was stirred for 14 hours, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 58.0 g of the title compound. Yield 80%.

Provenance & Evidence