Sodium Chloride → Methyl 3-isopropoxy-4-(methylthio)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of methyl 3-isopropoxy-4-nitrobenzoate (5.7 g) in N,N'-dimethylimidazolidinone (35 mL) is treated with sodium thiomethoxide (2 g), and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The mixture is then diluted with water (250 mL) containing sodium chloride (47 g), and is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (100 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo, to give a brown oil. The oil is subjected to flash chromatography, eluting with a 1.9 v/v mixture of diethyl ether and pentane, to give methyl 3-isopropoxy-4-(methylthio)benzoate (4.0 g), in the form of a cream solid, m.p. 41°-43° C.

Provenance & Evidence