Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-YL)butan-1-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of methyl nicotinate (59 g, 0.43 mol), 4-hydroxybutyric acid lactone (51.8 g, 0.602 mol), and sodium methoxide (70 g, 1.29 mol) in dioxane (500 mL) is refluxed for 1 hour and then cooled. Concentrated hydrochloric acid (650 mL) is added, and the reaction mixture is refluxed for 12 hours. The resulting solution is neutralized with solid sodium bicarbonate and extracted with chloroform. The organic phase is dried (sodium sulfate), and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue is taken up in 2-propanol (50 mL) and treated with a saturated solution of hydrogen chloride in 2-propanol. The hydrochloride salt of 4-chloro-1-(3-pyridinyl)-1-butanone is obtained as a white solid (30 g); mp 73°-76° C.

Provenance & Evidence