Methanol → Methyl 6-Bromohexanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

22 g (0.11 mole) of 6-bromohexanoic acid, 50 ml of methanol, and 3 ml concentrated sulfuric acid were mixed in a 100 ml flask and refluxed for 3 hours, after which period the excess methanol was removed by distillation. 100 ml water and 100 ml chloroform were added to the residue in the flask. The water layer was extracted with several 50 ml portions of chloroform; the portions were combined, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, and with water, and then passed through magnesium sulfate. The chloroform was removed by rotary evaporation. The crude product was vacuum distilled to yield greater than 90% methyl 6-bromo-hexanoate.

Provenance & Evidence