Sodium borohydride → 3-Benzylbenzyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

3-Benzylbenzaldehyde (5.5 g) was dissolved in methanol (75 cm3) and cooled to 0° C. Sodium borohydride (1.29 g) was added gradually in small portions, and stirring was continued for one hour. The reaction mixture was cautiously poured into a water/diethyl ether mixture, and the resulting ethereal solution was washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. Evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure gave 3-benzylbenzyl alcohol as a pale yellow oil (5.2 g). The product was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence