Methyl salicylate is a selective and inexpensive methylating agent for the esterification
of carboxylic acids with a wide range of functional group tolerance. The intramolecular
hydrogen bonds between the carboxylate and hydroxyl groups in methyl salicylate are
essential for the transformation. Allyl, benzyl, methallyl, and propargyl salicylates
can also be used as alkylating agents for the preparation of the corresponding alkyl
carboxylates.
Key words
carboxylic acid - esterification - esters - alkylation - methyl salicylate