Sodium Hydroxide → 1-(1-Phenylethyl)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]azetidine

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Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

The maleate salt of 1-(α-methylbenzyl)-3-hydroxyazetidine (78.6 g., 0.20 mole) was partitioned between benzene and dilute sodium hydroxide, the benzene layer dried, filtered, and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in 100 ml. of dry dimethylformamide and added at a rapid dropwise rate, to a stirring suspension of 10.1 g. (0.22 mole) of sodium hydride (50% in mineral oil) in 150 ml. of dry dimethylformamide at 90° C. The solution was heated at 90° C. for one hour and then treated dropwise with 32.0 g. (0.20 mole) of 4-trifluoromethylfluorobenzene. The solution was refluxed for three hours. The cooled solution was partitioned between water and isopropyl ether, and the ether layer extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid. The aqueous acid layer was made basic with concentrated sodium hydroxide and ice, and extracted with isopropyl ether. The ether layer was concentrated and the residue distilled at 150°-160° C./0.2 mm. to give 25.6 g of product.

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