Methanol → Methyl 4-chlorophenylacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (20.0 g, 117 mmol) in dry methanol (235 mL) was treated with 5 drops of concentrated H2SO4 (cat.) at room temperature. The mixture was stirred overnight to completion and was concentrated in vacuo to about 40 mL. The concentrate was partitioned between an ether and half saturated NaHCO3 solution. The aqueous portion was back-extracted once with ether, and the organics were combined. The organic portion was washed with water, then brine, dried over MgSO4, and concentrated in vacuo. The material was placed under high vacuum for one hour to afford the pure methyl 2-(4-chlorophenyl)acetate as a pale yellow oil (19.8 g, 92%). 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 7.30 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.21 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.60 (2, 2H).

Provenance & Evidence