General procedure for the synthesis of tert-butyl 3-methyl-4-aminobenzoate from tert-butyl 3-methyl-4-nitrobenzoate: A suspension of tert-butyl 3-methyl-4-nitrobenzoate (6.6 g, 27 mmol) and 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.55 g) in ethanol (200 mL) was subjected to stirring and reacted for 3 hours under hydrogen atmosphere (60 psi). Upon completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was filtered through diatomaceous earth (CELITE), followed by evaporation of the volatile solvent under reduced pressure to afford 5.7 g (99% yield) of tert-butyl 3-methyl-4-aminobenzoate, the product being initially oily and then slowly solidifying.
