Methanol → Methyl 2-(4-mercaptophenyl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-mercapto-phenyl acetic acid (30 g, 178.34 mmol) in methanol (60 ml) was added sulfuric acid (9.5 mL, 178.34 mmol) dropwise. Reaction mixture was then heated at 60° C. for 3 hr, concentrated to remove methanol. The residue was neutralized with satd. aq. NaHCO3 solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×30 mL) washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Product was purified using column chromatography in 1% ethyl acetatae:hexane as eluent which afforded (4-mercapto-phenyl)-acetic acid methyl ester (27 g).

Provenance & Evidence