Dimethyl Sulfate → Ethyl 4-methoxyphenylacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of ethyl 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate (15 g, 0.09 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) were added anhydrous K2CO3 (27.23 g, 0.19 mol) followed by Me2SO4 (14.94 g, 0.11 mol) at RT. The reaction mixture was then refluxed for 5 h, filtered through a pad of Celite® and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (300 mL). The organic layer was then washed with water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo to afford ethyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetate (16 g, 84%) as a solid.

Provenance & Evidence