Methanol → Methyl 3-hexyl-4-methoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A crude product of 3-hexyl-4-methoxybenzoic acid and methanol (4 ml) were mixed. To this solution was added conc. sulfuric acid (2 drops), and the mixture was refluxed under heating for 20 hours. Water (10 ml) was added and methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure. The aqueous layer was extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate (20 ml). The organic layers were combined, and washed 3 times with saturated brine (20 ml). This solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the drying agent was filtered off. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1) to give methyl 3-hexyl-4-methoxybenzoate (96.2 g) as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence