Sulfuric Acid → 2-Phenylethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

8.9 g (0.066 mole) of diethylene glycole monoethyl ether was added dropwise to a mixture consisting of 1.3 g (0.034 mole) of sodium borohydride, 10 ml of xylene and 5 g (0.042 mole) of 1,2-epoxyethyl benzene at 90° C. over 1.5 hours while agitating the mixture. Subsequently, the mixture was agitated at the same temperature for 1.5 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was neutralized with dilute sulfuric acid. As a result, phenylethyl alcohol was quantitatively obtained.

Provenance & Evidence