This compound was then converted to 5-methoxy-2thenoic acid (III) by stirring overnight 3.60 g. of the halide with 0.90 g. of magnesium and 1 ml. of ethyl bromide.The cloudy mixture was then poured onto a slurry of Dry Ice and ether and the reaction products worked up as usual. There was obtained 0.60 g. (20%) of white needles, m.p. 161-162°( dec.), which did not depress the melting point of authentic III.No other material could be isolated from the mother liquors.Acylation of 2-Methoxythiophene. A. 5-Methoxy-2acetothienone.-A solution of 2.0 g. of I in 5 ml. of dry carbon disulfide, cooled to -20°, was added in 3 portions over a 10-minute period to a solution of acetyl chloride (1.2 ml.) and stannic chloride (2.0 ml.) in carbon disulfide (15 ml.) maintained at -20°, and then kept at that temperature for 5 additional minutes. The purple, heterogeneous mixture was then poured on ice (10 g.) and hydrochloric acid (1.0 ml.). The solvent layer was rapidly decanted, washed with water and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate.It was dried over sodium carbonate and evaporated, leaving a yellow oil (1.73 g.). The oil was chromatographed over 35.0 g. of alumina. Mixtures of hexane and benzene (9:1 and 4:1) eluted 0.76 g. of material which distilled at 60°( 0.001 mm.). The distillate (0.42 g.) crystallized in yellow needles which became colorless and melted at 34r-35°after recrystallization from hexane; X®'£H 2560 and 3140 Á. («, respectively, 4,100 and 14,200).