Methanol → Methyl phenylacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

110 g (0.87 mole) of benzyl chloride and, simultaneously but separately, a solution of 46 g (0.85 mole) of sodium methylate in 130 g of methanol, were added gradually in the course of one hour, with vigorous stirring, to a solution of 160 g of methanol and 10 g of K[Fe(CO)3NO] (0.048 mole) under a carbon monoxide pressure of 1.7 bars, at 55° C. The reaction was complete after a further two hours. Conventional working up gave methyl phenylacetate in 85% yield.

Provenance & Evidence