2-Bromoethanol → 2-(3-Bromophenoxy)ethanol

To a solution of 3-bromophenol (36.38 g, 210.3 mmol) in acetone (175 ml) was added K2CO3 (0.033 g, 237 mmol) and 2-bromoethanol (20 ml, 283.3 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux under argon for 4 days. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in diethyl ether (150 ml) and the solution was washed successively with water, 10% aqueous NaOH, 5% aqueous NaOH, water, and brine. The solution was dried over MgSO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 2-(3-bromophenoxy)ethanol (106) as a light brown oil. Yield (21.07 g, 46%): 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.14 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.07-7.12 (m, 2H), 6.85 (ddd, J=7.8, 2.4, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 4.05-4.07 (m, 2H), 3.93-3.97 (m, 2H), 2.11 (t, J=12.3 Hz. 1H).