Hydrochloric Acid → Methyl 3-acetylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 5 g of 3-acetylbenzoic acid in dry MeOH was saturated with hydrogen chloride gas. The reaction vessel was stoppered and kept at room temperature for 2 days. The MeOH was evaporated and the residue extracted into diethylether and clarified by filtration. The ether was evaporated and the dark oil was chromatographed through a short column of silica gel eluting with methylene chloride. The combined fractions were evaporated to dryness giving 4.25 g of a yellow oil that solidified on standing. The solid ester was used as obtained.

Provenance & Evidence