Methanol → Methyl 2,4,6-trimethylbenzeneacetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

173 g (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)acetic acid is refluxed in 131 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 1.1 L of methanol for 3 hours with stirring. The solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure and the aqueous phase extracted twice with diethyl ether. The combined organic phases are extracted twice with a saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and dried with sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue is fractionally distilled. Yield: 116 g (57%); bp15: 140° C.

Provenance & Evidence