Hydrochloric Acid → Methyl 4-methyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyrimidine-2-carboxylate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Concentrated aq. hydrochloric acid (42 mL, 491.4 mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of 4-methyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyrimidine-2-carbonitrile [CAS: 951232-17-0] (8.3 g, 31.53 mmol) in methanol (248 mL). The stirred mixture was heated at block temperature of 80° C. for 20 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with DCM (500 ml) and Na2CO3 solid was added with stirring. Water (500 ml) was added and the mixture transferred to a separating funnel and shaken (aqueous phase had pH10). The aq. phase was re-extracted with DCM (200 ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to an oil which solidified, to give 7.6 g after drying. This was dissolved in DCM (30 ml) and the solution was applied to a 340 g silica cartridge which was then eluted on a Biotage SP4 system with a gradient of EtOAc/iso-hexane from 0-75% to give methyl 4-methyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyrimidine-2-carboxylate (D29) (6.1 g, approximately 94% pure, contaminated with decarboxylated material);

Provenance & Evidence