2-Methoxyethyl chloride

77-78-1

107-07-3

627-42-9

To a round-bottomed flask equipped with a distillation apparatus, calcium carbonate (27.3 g, 273.2 mmol), dimethyl sulfate (23.5 mL, 248.4 mmol) and 2-chloroethanol (16.6 mL, 248.4 mmol) were added sequentially. The reaction mixture was heated to 120-130°C and the reaction was continued until distillation ceased (about overnight). After completion of the reaction, the distillate was diluted with ether and washed with 2N NaOH solution. The aqueous layer was again extracted with ether, and all ether layers were combined and dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO). Finally, the target product 2-chloroethyl methyl ether (16) was obtained as a colorless liquid by conventional distillation (collection of fractions with a vapor temperature of 88-90°C). Yield: 10.2 g, 43% yield.