Benzoic Acid → Methyl Benzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of benzoic acid (1.53 g, 0.0125 mole), methyl trichloroacetate (2.22 g, 0.0125 mole), potassium carbonate (0.035 g) and 18-crown-6 cyclic polyether (0.066 g) was placed in a 25 ml round-bottom flask fitted with a stirrer, distillation head, dry ice receiver and trap. The mixture was heated with stirring to 150° C. Gas evolution was observed to begin at about 90° C. After about 3 hours, the heating was discontinued. The trap contained CHCl3 (approx. 1.5 g). Distillation of the remaining mixture gave methylbenzoate identified by gas-liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Purified yield was 85 percent.

Provenance & Evidence