Ethyl formate → rac. 4-Benzyloxy-3-methylbutanal

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 5.8 g. (0.0307 mole) of rac. 4-benzyloxy-3-methylbutyronitrile in 290 ml. of hexane was stirred at -65° C. to -70° C. while 22.4 ml. (4.78 g.; 0.0337 mole) of 25% diisobutylaluminum hydride solution in toluene was added dropwise. Theresulting solution was stirred at -65° C. to -70° C. for 0.5 hours then at room temperature for 5 hours whereupon 2.8 ml. of ethyl formate was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was then treated with 250ml. of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. Stirring was continuedfor 20 minutes at which point 125 ml. of 5% by weight aqueous sulfuric acidwas added and stirring was continued for an additional 10 minutes. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether. The organic solutions were combined and processed as in Example 1 giving 4.79 g. (81.3%) of rac. 4-benzyloxy-3-methylbutanal as a yellow oil.

Provenance & Evidence