2-Methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid → 2-Methyl-3-nitrobenzoyl chloride

Participants

Reaction Steps

The conversion of 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid (II) to a 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoyl halide (III) may be effected by reacting II with a suitable halogenating agent, such as phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus pentabromide, thionyl chloride, and the like, preferably thionyl chloride, in a suitable inert solvent, such as dry benzene, at a temperature from room temperature to reflux until the reaction is complete and removing the solvent under reduced pressure. Preferably, II is converted to 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoyl chloride by simply refluxing it in pure thionyl chloride for about 2-6 hours and removing the excess thionyl chloride under reduced pressure. The preferred 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoyl chloride is obtained in yields of 95-100% of theoretical.

Provenance & Evidence