Methanol → 2-Methoxybenzyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Steps

Five milliliters of a methanol solution containing 0.6 g (16.0 mmol) of NaBH4 is added dropwise to 10 ml of a methanol solution containing 2.0 g (14 7 mmol) of 2-methoxybenzaldehyde, followed by stirring at room temperature for about 1 hour. After the progress of reaction has been confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, 100 ml of water is poured into the reaction solution to decompose excess NaBH4, followed by extraction with three 30 ml portions of ether. The ether layer is dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, and then filtered. When the solvent is removed by distillation, 1.95 g (yield: 96.1%) of 2-methoxybenzyl alcohol is obtained as an oily colorless product.

Provenance & Evidence