Benzyl Bromide → (2R,3R)-3-(Benzyloxy)butan-2-OL

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

5.00 g (44.6 mmol) of potassium tert.-butylate was added to a solution of 4.00 g (44.4 mmol) (2R,3R)-butane-2,3-diol in 300 ml THF at room temperature and the mixture was refluxed for 15 minutes. The mixture was cooled to approx. 50° C. and 5.3 ml (44.6 mmol) benzyl bromide was added. It was refluxed for 3 hours, and was then stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and sodium chloride solution and then washed with 1N hydrogen chloride solution (1×) and sodium chloride solution (2×). The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated by evaporation. The residue obtained was purified chromatographically (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1). 3.41 g (18.9 mmol; yield: 43%) of the product was obtained.

Provenance & Evidence