A Convenient and "Greener" Synthesis of Methyl Nitroacetate

A new procedure for the synthesis and isolation of methyl nitroacetate is described. The previously published method required drying the explosive dipotassium salt of nitroacetic acid in a vacuum desiccator, followed by grinding this material into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle prior to esterification. To obtain the desired product, benzene was employed as the extraction solvent, sodium sulfate was used as the drying agent, and two distillations were required. The new procedure eliminates drying and grinding of the explosive dipotassium salt, employs ethyl acetate or dichloromethane as the extraction solvent, eliminates the need for a drying agent, and requires a single distillation to furnish the end product in high yield and purity.