Methyl 3-methoxysalicylate

67-56-1

877-22-5

6342-70-7

General procedure for the synthesis of methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate from methanol and 3-methoxysalicylic acid: 25.5 g (0.152 mol) of 3-methoxysalicylic acid was added to 250 ml of methanol containing 1 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 4 days. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was concentrated to dryness. The concentrate was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed sequentially with water, 10% sodium carbonate solution, water and saturated sodium chloride solution. After the above treatment, 25.2 g of the target product methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate was obtained in 91.2% yield. The melting point was 68-69°C.