Benzyl Alcohol → 1-Benzyloxy-2-butanol

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Reaction Steps

15.4 Grams (0.67 mole) of sodium are poured into a flask containing 3.500 g. (35.2 mole) of benzyl alcohol under nitrogen atmosphere. After the sodium is dissolved, the temperature is brought to 160°C, then 481 g. (6.7 mole) of 1,2-epoxybutane are added dropwise. The temperature is kept at 160°C during the approximately 2 hours addition period. The temperature is subsequently lowered to 120°C and the excess of the starting 1,2-epoxybutane is distilled off; then 33.8 g (0.335 mole) of concentrated sulfuric acid and 36 ml. of water are added to the reaction mixture and the resulting solid sodium sulfate is removed by filtration. The filtrate is distilled under reduced pressure, thus recovering pure 1-benzyloxy-2-butanol in a yield of 90%. B.p. 128-132/6 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence