Methyl iodide → 5-Methoxymethylbenzo[b]thiophene

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred mixture of powdered KOH (18.9 g, 0.336 mol) in dimethylsulfoxide (100 ml) was added 5-hydroxymethylbenzo[b]thiophene (13.8 g, 0.084 mol) in 25 ml of dimethylsulfoxide. Then methyl iodide (23.9 g, 0.168 mol) was added dropwise at ambient temperature over several minutes. Stirring was continued for 11/2 hours. The mixture was filtered, diluted with water (150 ml) and extracted with methylene chloride (200 ml) in three portions. The combined extracts were washed with water, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. This gave 14.1 g of amber liquid. Distillation gave 10.47 g of colorless liquid, b.p. 2.2 mm Hg 110°-111° C. (Yield 70%).

Provenance & Evidence