Water → 3-Benzyl-4-fluorobenzyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-benzyl-4-fluorobenzaldehyde (5 g) in methanol (75 cm3) was cooled to 0° C. Sodium borohydride (1.34 g) was added in portions, and the mixture stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then poured cautiously into a mixture of water and diethyl ether, and the organic layer was separated, washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. Evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure gave a pale yellow oil which was purified by distillation in a kugelrohr apparatus to give 3-benzyl-4-fluorobenzyl alcohol (4.0 g).

Provenance & Evidence