ethyl 2-(2-(2-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl)-N-methylacetamido)acetate

Conditions: temp:27.51; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: To a suspension of potassium tert-butoxide (88 g) in toluene (1000 mL) is added a solution of ethyl-N-[2-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]acetyl]-N-methylglycinate (250 g) in toluene (1000 mL), under nitrogen at 15-25° C. and the mixture is maintained for 12-15 hours at 25-30° C. Water (3000 mL) is added and the mass is maintained for 1-2 hours at 0-5° C. Organic and aqueous layers are separated and the organic layer is washed with water (1000 mL). Aqueous layers are combined and washed with ethyl acetate (2000 mL). The pH of combined aqueous layers is adjusted to 2-2.5 by addition of aqueous HCl (100 mL) at 0-5° C. The solid is collected by filtration and washed with water (200 mL), then is dried to afford the crude title compound. The crude compound is further purified by heating at reflux a solution of crude 3-(2-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl)-1-methylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione in toluene (3600 mL) for 30-60 minutes, followed by cooling to room temperature. Solid that forms is collected by filtration, washed with hexane (500 mL), and dried to afford a purified title compound. Yield: 130 g. Purity by HPLC: 99.48%. the mass is maintained for 1-2 hours at 0-5° C Organic and aqueous layers are separated the organic layer is washed with water (1000 mL) washed with ethyl acetate (2000 mL) The pH of combined aqueous layers is adjusted to 2-2.5 by addition of aqueous HCl (100 mL) at 0-5° C The solid is collected by filtration washed with water (200 mL) is dried