Benzeneacetic acid, alpha,alpha-dimethyl-, ethyl ester → beta,beta-Dimethylbenzeneethanol

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Reaction Steps

Ethyl 2-methyl-2-phenylpropionate (XXXVIII, 4.50 g, 23.5 mmol) is added to lithium aluminum hydride (0.908 g, 23.5 mmol) in dry ether (100 ml) cooled at 0°. After stirring for 2.5 hr, the mixture is quenched by adding, successively, water (1 ml), aqueous sodium hydroxide (15%, 1 ml) and water (3 ml). After stirring for several minutes, the solids are filtered off and washed well with ether. The filtrate is washed twice with saline and the organic phase is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give 2-methyl-2-phenylpropanol (XLV), NMR (CDCl3) 1.34, 3.62, 3.71, 7.22 and 7.31-7.41 δ.

Provenance & Evidence