Synthesis of Methyl 2-Methylphenylglyoxylate

Methyl 2-methylphenylglyoxylate in overall yield of 65% was prepared by esterification of 2-oxo-2-(2-methyl)phenylacetic acid(2) in the presence of methanol/H2SO4. 2 was synthesized from 2-methylacetophenone by selective oxidation with KMnO4 under pH 10～11.