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+ Chemistry
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Kevin

Nitration vs Nitrolysis

Derrick S.  Follow

Tert-butyl esters are routinely cleaved by anhydrous acid conditions by loss of the tBu+ cation. TFA in DCM is a common system for this. Neat formic acid, HBr/AcOH and PTSA in refluxing benzene or toluene are also used (see Greene - Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (2nd ed) p246).

Methyl esters usually need aq. acid for cleavage.

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Hayan Marx  Follow
Good to know, the compound I want to nitrate is usually dissolved in a TFA/DCM mixture, so if it can survive that, it can probably survive with the addition of nitric acid.More
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John Pryor  Follow
If you are happy with the answer please check the accept box. A quick google search for nitration of methyl benzoate produces a good number of hits with lab procedures, including one done in neat sulfuric acid. The only concern would be your workup if you quench into water.More
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