p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate → Methyl 4-cyano-2-methoxybenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a mixture of 4-cyano-2-methoxybenzoic acid (1.00 g, 5.648 mmol, Biogene) in methanol (15.0 mL) was added p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (286 mg, 1.48 mmol, Aldrich) and it was heated to reflux under an argon atmosphere for 16 hrs. The solvent was removed and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with saturated Na2CO3, water, and saturated NaCl. The organic phase was separated, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated to give 4-cyano-2-methoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (1.04 g, 96.4%).

Provenance & Evidence