Sulfuric Acid → 2-Chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrotoluene

Participants

Reaction Steps

Concentrated sulfuric acid (250 ml) was added to a stirred solution of 2-chloro-4-fluorotoluene (50.0 g, 0.346 mole) in ethylene dichloride (250 ml) at 0° C. Potassium nitrate (35.0 g, 0.346 mole) was then added slowly, maintaining the temperature below 10° C. The reaction was monitored by gas chromatography. Upon the disappearance of 2-chloro-4-fluorotoluene, the reaction mixture was poured into ice and extracted with methylene chloride. The dried organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 60.0 g of 2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrotoluene. This reaction was repeated several times.

Provenance & Evidence