Methyl iodide → Methyl 2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Combine 2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoic acid (4.98 g, 27.5 mmol), potassium carbonate (1.93 g, 14.0 mol), and methyl iodide (7.80 g, 55.0 mmol) in acetone (100 mL). Heat to reflux. After 4 hours, cool the reaction mixture, dilute with water, and extract five times with ethyl acetate. Combine the organic layers, extract with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and then brine. Dry the organic layer over Na2SO4, filter, and evaporate in vacuo to give methyl 2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoate: Rf=0.61 (silica gel, ethyl acetate/hexane 1/1).

Provenance & Evidence