Methyl iodide → Methyl 2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)phenyl]butyrate

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Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)phenyl]butyronitrile (0.67 g, 2.4 mmol) and 96% sodium hydroxide (0.73 g, 17.5 mmol) in ethanol (8 ml) was heated under reflux for 43 hours. The solvent was evaporated, and then water was added. The mixture was adjusted to pH 3 with 1N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and then the solvent was evaporated. The crude product was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (5 ml) and stirred at room temperature. Methyl iodide (0.50 g, 3.5 mmol) and potassium carbonate (0.50 g, 3.6 mmol) were added thereto in this order. After 1 hour, water was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed successively with water and saturated brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated, and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/ethyl acetate=9/1) to give the desired compound methyl 2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)phenyl]butyrate (0.62 g, 83%) as white crystals.

Provenance & Evidence