Hydrochloric Acid → 3-(4-Mercapto-2-methyl-phenyl)-propionic Acid Methyl Ester

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Reaction Steps

3-(4-Dimethylcarbamoylsulfanyl-2-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid methyl ester (5.01 g, 17.8 mmol) is diluted with methanol (30 mL) and to this is added sodium methoxide (1.7 mL of 4M in methanol, 7.23 mmol). The reaction is heated to reflux under nitrogen and monitored by TLC. After complete conversion, 20 h., the reaction is allowed to cool to room temperature. The reaction is neutralized with 1N HCl (7.23 mL) and diluted with ethyl acetate (150 mL). The two phases are separated and the organic layer is washed with water (75 mL), then brine (75 mL). The organic layer is then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, then concentrated to yield 4.43 g crude product that is used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence