Sodium Methoxide

The Uses of Sodium Methoxide

To  a solution of the alcohol (A) (86  mg, 482 umol) in anhydrous THF (5  mL) at RT was added NaH (60%  dispersion on mineral oil, 21 mg, 526 umol), and the mixture was stirred at RT  for 15 min. The aryl chloride (B) (150 mg, 439 umol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 45 min,  then 80 C for 2 h. H2O and sat aq NaHCO3 were  added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried (Na2SO4),  and concentrated. The resulting material was purified by silica gel column  chromatography (0-25% EtOAc/cyclohexane) to provide the product. [137 mg]

General Description

Sodium methylate is a white amorphous powder. It reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide, a corrosive material, and methyl alcohol, a flammable liquid. The heat from this reaction may be sufficient to ignite surrounding combustible material or the sodium methylate itself if the water is present in only small amounts. It is used to process edible fats and oils, and to make other chemicals.