Methyl iodide → dimethyl (2R)-2-methoxybutanedioate

Participants

Reaction Steps

The above (R)-2-hydroxysuccinic acid dimethyl ester was re-dissolved in methyl iodide (100 mL), freshly prepared silver oxide (30.2 g) was added and the mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with acetonitrile (200 mL), and filtered through celite to remove silver salts and excess silver hydroxide. The filtrate was taken to dryness to leave (R)-2-methoxysuccinic acid dimethyl ester as an oil (23.2 g, 88%).

Provenance & Evidence