A Visual Organic Chemistry Reaction: The Synthesis of 4-Amino-3-nitrobenzoic Acid Methyl Ester via Fischer Esterification

The synthesis of 4-amino-3-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester is a simple Fischer esterification reaction designed as an experiment for use in an introductory organic chemistry course. The compound was synthesized as a one-pot reaction within 30 min to 16 h, with 1 h producing a workable yield. The bright-yellow solid was purified using liquid-liquid extraction, and the extraction process was monitored by a marked color change. The product was then characterized by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography.