4-Formylbenzoic acid → 4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid

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Reaction Steps

A solution of 3.68 g (92.3 mmol) of sodium borohydride, dissolved in 30 ml of water to which 5 ml of 5N NaOH have been added, is added dropwise and with stirring to a solution of 13.86 g (92.3 mmol) of 4-formylbenzoic acid in 200 ml of absolute ethanol. The reaction medium is left thus for 5 hours with stirring at room temperature. The ethanol is then removed by evaporation under vacuum and the residue is taken up with water and then acidified with 5N hydrochloric acid: the precipitate obtained is separated by filtration on a sinter.

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