Methanol → Methyl 2-chloro-5-methylbenzoate

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Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2-chloro-5-methylbenzoic acid (4.0 g, 23.4 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) and a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid were stirred at reflux for 5 hours. After cooling to room temperature, methanol was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL). The solution was extracted with saturated NaHCO3 (3×50 mL). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered, evaporated, and dried in vacuo, affording methyl 2-chloro-5-methylbenzoate (3.07 g, 71% yield). The product was used without further purification.

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