2-Chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrophenyl methyl carbonate (120 g, 0.48 mol) was mixed with sodium hydroxide (22.7 g, 0.57 mol) in water (300 mL) and the reaction was carried out at reflux for 4 hrs. Upon completion of the reaction, the insoluble solids were removed by filtration and the filtrate was acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid to pH < 7. Subsequently, the precipitated solid product was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried to afford 2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrophenol (90 g, 98% yield). The product was characterized by 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 11.18 (s, 1H), 8.10 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H); mass spectrum (ESI) m/z: 192.1 ([M+H]+).
