(4-Chlorophenoxy)acetic acid → 2-(4-Chlorophenoxy)ethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A stirred mixture of dry THF (20 ml) and 1.0 M lithiumaluminiumhydride (9.0 ml, 9.0 mmol) was placed under an atmosphere of nitrogen. A solution of 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (1.9 g, 10 mmol) in dry THF (10 ml) is slowly added dropwise. When addition was complete the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min and then heated at reflux temperature for 10 min. The cooled reaction mixture was quenched with small amounts of water and 4 N NaOH and ethyl acetate was added. The mixture was dried (MgSO4) and then concentrated. The residue was re-evaporated with DCM to give crude 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)ethanol as an oil.

Provenance & Evidence