methyl 2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetate

Conditions: temp:15.01; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: At about 15° C., a solution of 3.67 kg [23 mol] of bromine in 91 of glacial acetic acid is added dropwise to a solution of 3.175 kg [17.82 mol] of methyl 2,6-dimethylphenylacetate in 18 l of glacial acetic acid. The mixture is then stirred at 15° C. for another 2.5 hours, in order to warm to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 48 hours. The reaction mixture is poured into 170 l of ice-water and extracted twice with in each case 60 l of methylene chloride. After removal of the solvent, 4 kg of a residue remain which, according to GC/MS, comprise 81.2% of methyl 3-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenylacetate (70.9% of theory), to warm to room temperature stirred at room temperature for 48 hours extracted twice with in each case 60 l of methylene chloride After removal of the solvent, 4 kg of a residue