Hydrogen Peroxide → 2-Chloro-6-ethylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a room temperature suspension of 2-chloro-6-ethylbenzaldehyde (13.5 mmol, 2.27 g) in acetonitrile (25 mL) was added a solution of monobasic sodium phosphate (3.4 mmol, 0.465 g) in water (7.5 mL) followed by hydrogen peroxide (1.8 mL, 30%). Then, a solution of sodium chlorite (23.7 mmol, 2.15 g) in water (20 mL) was added dropwise at 0° C. while maintaining the temperature below 3° C. After addition, the yellow suspension was stirred for 15 h at 0° C. to room temperature. At this time TLC analysis of the mixture indicated the absence of starting material. Then, a solution of sodium bisulfite (20.5 mmol, 2.8 g) in water (10 mL) was added dropwise at 0° C. until the yellow color disappeared (KI-paper positive). Cooling is essential to control the exothermic reaction. After 1 h, the solvent was removed under vacuum. The neutral impurities were extracted with diethyl ether (200 mL). Then, the basic aqueous solution was neutralized with 10% HCl to pH ˜1. The precipitated white solid was collected by filtration and dried at in air to afford 2.415 g (97% yield) of 2-chloro-6-ethylbenzoic acid as an amorphous white solid. EI-HRMS m/e calcd for C9H9ClO2 (M+) 184.0291, found 184.0295.

Provenance & Evidence