Anhydrous AlCl3 (0.85 g) was added to dry CS2 (100 mL) containing methyl 3,5-dimethoxy-benzoate (0.86 g) and 2-bromopropane (0.61 mL, 1.1 eq.). This solution was heated to reflux for 7 days. The mixture was filtered, washed with water (100 mL*2), saturated NaHCO3 (100 mL) and saturated NaCl (100 mL), and dried over Na2SO4. After filtration and removal of the solvent, the crude product was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc/Hexanes=4:1) to give Methyl 4-isopropyl-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate (0.69 g, 66%), which was crystallized from EtOH/Hexanes.
