2-(2-Fluoro-4-iodoanilino)-3,4-difluorobenzoic Acid

Off-White Solid

Intermediate in the preparation of MEK inhibitors.

To a solution of methyl-3,4-diflluoro-2-((2-flluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino)benzoate (23, 6.0 g, 23.8 mmol) in methanol (80 mL) and water (80 mL) was added LiOH (7.8 g, 195 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 78 C in an oil bath for 1 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was acidified to pH = 2 with a 2 N HCl solution. The solid was filtered and washed with water to provide 2-(2-Fluoro-4-iodoanilino)-3,4-difluoro benzoic Acid (5.11 g, 96%) as a white solid.