Boron tribromide → Methyl 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a −78° C. solution of methyl 3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-benzoate (1.48 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (16 mL) was added dropwise a solution of boron tribromide in methylene chloride (1.0 M, 16.3 mL). The mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 30 min, allowed to warm to 0° C., and stirred for 2 h. The mixture was quenched by addition of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), and diluted with methylene chloride (50 mL). The mixture was placed in a separatory funnel, and the organic layer was separated, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give the crude product. Purification by silica gel chromatography (eluting with 5:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate) afforded the title compound (769 mg) as a pale yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence