Methanol → 3-Nitrophenylethyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of methyl 2-(3-nitrophenyl)acetate (12 g, 62 mmol) in THF (100 ml) was cooled to 0° C., then MeOH (10 mL) was added slowly, followed by stirring at room temperature overnight. Water was added to terminate the reaction. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate 3 times. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 2-(3-nitrophenyl)ethanol (9 g, yield 90%). 1H NMR: 400 MHz CDCl3 δ 8.11-8.07 (m, 2H), 7.59-7.56 (m, 1H), 7.49-7.45 (m, 1H), 3.94-3.91 (m, 2H), 2.99-2.96 (m, 2H).

Provenance & Evidence