General procedure for the synthesis of 2-bromo-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid methyl ester from 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid: 14.6 g (81.2 mmol) of 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid methyl ester, 15.2 g (85.3 mmol) of N-bromosuccinimide, and the catalytic amount of AIBN were dissolved in 180 mL of CTC, and the mixture was heated and stirred under refluxing The mixture was heated and stirred under reflux conditions for 2 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution was cooled and filtered, followed by removal of the solvent under vacuum. 21.6 g (100% yield) of yellow oily product was obtained. The product was characterized by 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 5.90 (s, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=8.31 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dt, J=7.6 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (dd, J=7.6 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 1.5 Hz), 7.61 (dd, J=7.6 Hz, 1.5 Hz). 7.6 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 1H). Mass spectrum (API-ES, pos) m/z = 259 [M + H]+.
