Diisobutylaluminumhydride → (7-Bromobenzofuran-5-yl)methanol

A solution of 0.63 gm (2.46 mMol) 5-methoxycarbonyl-7-bromobenzofuran in 10 mL toluene was cooled to −78° C. When material precipitated, 5 mL dichloromethane were added to effect solution. To this solution were then slowly added 1.5 mL (8.6 mMol) diisobutylaluminum hydride and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm gradually to room temperature. After 10 minutes the reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol followed by 1.5 gm sodium fluoride and 50 mL water and then Rochelle's salt solution. The mixture was diluted with additional dichloromethane and was stirred vigorously for about 1 hour. The phases were separated and the aqueous phase extracted well with ethyl acetate. The organic phases were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was crystallized from hexane and dichloromethane to provide 0.46 gm (82%) of the title compound as a white crystalline solid.