Is ex vivo methylphenidate to ethyphenidate conversion possible?

[zip]

Would dissolving methylphenidate in ethanol create a solution of ethylphenidate, or does the conversion only take place within the body?

 

[falsifiedhypothesi]

I think the conversion happens in your liver so just soaking methylphenidate in alcohol will not yield ethylphenidate

 

[sekio]

you need to add either acid or base catalyst & a large excess of very dry (absolute) ethanol to make the transesterification go, but yes it's trivial to switch the ester.