Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Methyl-1,3-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 40.0 grams (0.243 mol, 1.0 eq) of 2-Chloro-3-oxo-butyric acid ethyl ester in 240 mL formic acid (99%) was stirred at room temperature in a 500 mL round bottom flask equipped with a H2O condenser. To this solution was added 80.0 grams (1.27 mmol, 5.2 eq) of ammonium formate. The solution was then heated to reflux for five hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solution was diluted with water (1 L) and neutralized with Na2CO3. The aqueous solution was then extracted three times with Et2O and the combined organic fractions were dried over MgSO4. After concentration, vacuum distillation (˜10 mmHg, b.p. 53° C.-61° C.) gave a mixture of starting material and 4-Methyl-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester as a colorless oil (21.7 grams). This mixture was dissolved in 100 mL of aqueous sodium hydroxide (2 N) and refluxed for 1 minute. The reaction was then poured onto ice and acidified with concentrated HCl and the known (Sen & Sengupta (1985) Ind. J. Chem. Section B: Org. Chem. Including Med. Chem. 24B(5):535-8) free acid precipitated as a white solid (6.04 grams, 20% overall yield) Mp: 241.4-242.6° C.

Provenance & Evidence