Methyl 4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitrobenzoate

The title compound, C9H9NO6S, was prepared by the reaction of methanol and thionyl chloride with 4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid under mild conditions. The dihedral angle between the nitro group and benzene ring is 21.33 (19)° and that between the carboxylate group and the benzene ring is 72.09 (17)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak intermolecular bifurcated C—H...O interactions occurring in the (100) plane.