Methanol → 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-acetic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-acetic acid (3.1 g, 0.1011 mole), methanol (100 ml) and concentrated sulfuric acid (3 ml) was refluxed overnight under a Dean-Stark trap. Another 2 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and methanol (50 ml) was added and reflux continued for 12 hr. The methanol was evaporated, water (50 ml) was added, and sodium bicarbonate (solid) added until basic. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×25 ml). The combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed with water (25 ml), dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue (2.5 g) was combined with a sample obtained previously and recrystallized from isopropyl ether-isopropyl alcohol to give 3.0 g (56%) of white needles, mp 198°-200° C.

Provenance & Evidence