Methanol → methyl 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

2,4,6-trimethoxybenzoic acid (5.61 g, 26.42 mmol) was suspended in 20 mL of methanol. Concentrated sulfuric acid (1 mL) was added to the mixture, and the reaction heated to reflux for 24 hrs. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, and the methanol removed in vacuo. The residues were taken up in 50 mL 5% NaHCO3 and extracted with hexane until all the solids had dissolved. The hexane extract was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and the volatiles were removed in a rotary evaporator to dryness to give the desired product, methyl 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzoate, as a white crystalline solid.

Provenance & Evidence