Methanol → Methyl 2-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid (Apollo, 1 g, 4.90 mmol) in methanol (20 mL) was added concentrated sulfuric acid (0.5 mL) and the resulting mixture was heated to reflux overnight. The cooled reaction mixture was concentrated and diluted with water (25 mL) and a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (25 mL). The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL), the organic phases combined, washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The mixture was filtered and evaporated to give 2-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid methyl ester (0.95 g, 4.35 mmol, 89%); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm 2.65 (s, 3H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 7.35 (t, J=7.85 Hz, 1H), 7.72-8.01 (m, 2H).

Provenance & Evidence