Methanol → Benzeneacetic acid, 3,4-dimethoxy-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

3,4-Dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (80.0 grams, 0.41 mole), methanol (350 milliliters (mL)) and 2 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid were added to a reaction flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap condensor and magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture was maintained at reflux temperature overnight. After removal of unreacted methanol via a rotary evaporator, the product was dissolved in ether. The ether solution was washed twice in a sodium bicarbonate solution, washed twice with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The ether was removed on a rotary evaporator, leaving 85 grams of methyl 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetate as a viscous oil.

Provenance & Evidence