Methyl phenoxyacetate, when the temperature ≥ 30°C is a clear colorless to slightly yellow liquid; at < 30°C is a white solid. It can be used as disinfectant or pharmaceutical intermediate or pesticide intermediate.
synthesis of methyl phenoxyacetate: methyl bromoacetate (10 mL, 105.6 mmol) and phenol (9.9380 g, 105.6 mmol) were dissolved in 250 mL of acetone; K2CO3 (21.89 g, 158 mmol) and KI (5 g, 30 mmol) were added and the mixture heated to reflux with stirring overnight. The mixture was filtered and the resultant solution concentrated in vacuo. Deionized water (200 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was extracted with 50 mL ethyl acetate three times. The combined ethyl acetate layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, and filtered. All ethyl acetate was removed in vacuo, resulting in a slightly yellow liquid (80% yield).
