4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid methyl ester

4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid methyl ester is a quinazolinone that has been used as an anticancer drug. It is synthesized by cross-coupling of 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid and methyl iodide with a cobaltic catalyst, followed by dehydrogenation. The synthesis can also be achieved using a molybdenum catalyst, leading to the same product. 4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid methyl ester is an efficient method for the synthesis of this compound and has shown anti-cancer activity in animal models. It inhibits serine proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cathepsin B, which are enzymes involved in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.