Various free radical initiators, benzoyl peroxide (BPO), azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and UV light (315-400nm) were used to study the optimum conditions for obtaining methyl 2-(chloromethyl) benzoate via chlorination. Experimental results showed that at 70℃, sparging chlorine gas (1.1 moles) into methyl 2-methylbenzoate produced a 65-67% yield of methyl 2-(chloromethyl) benzoate. Different free radical initiators showed no effects on the distribution of chlorinated products, but did impact the reaction rates: UV>BPO>AIBN.
Various free radical initiators, benzoyl peroxide (BPO), azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and UV light (315-400nm) were used to study the optimum conditions for obtaining methyl 2-(chloromethyl) benzoate via chlorination. Experimental results showed that at 70℃, sparging chlorine gas (1.1 moles) into methyl 2-methylbenzoate produced a 65-67% yield of methyl 2-(chloromethyl) benzoate. Different free radical initiators showed no effects on the distribution of chlorinated products, but did impact the reaction rates: UV>BPO>AIBN.