Methanol → Methyl 2-chloro-6-methylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2-chloro-6-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, and 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-6-methylbenzoate (3.07 g, 71% yield). The product was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence