Trifluoroacetic anhydride → (4-Methylpyridin-2-yl)methanol

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Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2,4-dimethylpyridine N-oxide (10.9 g, 88.5 mmol) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (31 mL, 219 mmol) in dichloromethane (75 mL) was stirred at room temp. overnight. The product mixture was concentrated under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane (75 mL) and aqueous sodium carbonate (225 mL, 2M), and stirred vigorously for 4 h. The resultant mixture was diluted with dichloromethane. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum. The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel eluting with 1-2% methanol in chloroform gradient. Collection and concentration of appropriate fractions provided 2-hydroxymethyl-4-methylpyridine as clear oil.

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