Hydrochloric Acid → Methyl 3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Combine methyl 3-methoxy-4,5-dihydroxybenzoate (0.93 g, 4.6 mmol) and potassium carbonate (3.2 g, 23.4 mmol) in acetone (25 mL) and dimethylformamide (25 mL). Add diiodomethane (6.3 g, 23.3 mmol). Heat to reflux. After 24 hours, cool in an ice bath, acidify with a 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (35 mL), and extract twice with ethyl acetate. Combine the organic layers and extract with brine. Dry over MgSO4, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give methyl 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxybenzoate.

Provenance & Evidence