Methanol → Methyl o-benzoylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

The ester methyl 2-benzoylbenzoate was prepared from the corresponding acid 2-benzoyl benzoic acid by Fischer esterification. One mole (226.23 grams) of 2-benzoylbenzoic acid was refluxed overnight in 1500 milliliters of methanol containing 2 grams of p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst. Cooling and rotary evaporation of the solvent afforded the ester as white crystals (melting point 145° C.) having a purity of about 99 percent. This material was used as such without further purification. Other esters can be prepared from their corresponding acids in a similar fashion.

Provenance & Evidence