Increased intensity of tert-butoxyl radical emission in 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) synthesis

The important herbicide, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) was synthesized by the chlorination of 2-methylphenoxyacetic acid with tert-butyl hypochlorite in the presence of methyl N,N-dimethylglycinate as a catalyst, giving a high yield and regioselectivity. The reaction was investigated using the spin-trapping technique in electron paramagnetic resonance measurement conditions, with nitrosodurene as a spin trap. Increased intensity emission of the tert-butoxyl radical (2.9 times in relation to the starting level) was observed after the catalyst had been introduced into the reaction mixture, indicating a free radical mechanism for the reaction. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.