Methylation of Alcohols, Phenols, and Carboxylic Acids, and Selective Monomethylation of Diols and Dicarboxylic Acids with Dimethyl Sulfate by Use of Alumina

Abstract

Abstract Alcohols in cyclohexane give their methyl ethers in high yields by the use of a combination of dimethyl sulfate and alumina. Some diols and dicarboxylic acids adsorbed on alumina react with dimethyl sulfate and produce the corresponding monomethyl ethers and esters in high selectivities.