Methanol → Methyl 4-chlorophenylacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 100 g (0.59 mole) of 4-chlorophenylacetic acid in 165 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane and 96 ml (2.4 moles) of methanol was added 2.75 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid, and the mixture was refluxed for 6 hours. It was then cooled, poured into an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and stirred. The organic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness to give 102 g (94% yield) of methyl (4-chlorophenyl)acetate.

Provenance & Evidence