Methyl 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoate is synthesized by the following steps:Acid 33 (100 g, 0.552 mol) was dissolved in MeOH (1000 ml). Conc. H2SO4 (30 ml) was added cautiously to this solution. The mixture was refluxed for 8 hours. Solvent was distilled off. Ice-cold water was added to the residue. It was then extracted with EtOAc, washed with NaHCO3 solution, water, dried (anhydrous Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to furnish faint yellow a solid. (91.57 g).
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[2] Patent: WO2005/66136, 2005, A1. Location in patent: Page/Page column 93
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[4] Patent: US2012/277224, 2012, A1. Location in patent: Page/Page column 83
[5] Journal of the Chemical Society, 1911, vol. 99, p. 2131
