Dimethyl Sulfate → 1,5-Dibromo-2-methoxy-3-methylbenzene

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of the product of stage (a) (266 g) in 4 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (900 ml), dimethyl sulphate (192 ml) was added whilst maintaining the temperature at 35°-40° C. The mixture was stirred for 5 minutes, then 4 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (450 ml) was added and dimethyl sulphate (96 ml) was added dropwise. The temperature rose to 55° C. The mixture was then stirred overnight, and the product was extracted into dichloromethane, washed with water, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered, and the solvent evaporated off to give a brown oil (280 g). Distillation gave the title product as a colourless oil, bp 96°-98° C./0.3 mm Hg.

Provenance & Evidence