Sulfuric Acid → 2,5-Bishydroxymethyl-2',5'-dimethylbiphenyl

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

LiAlH4 (7.9 g, 208 mmol) together with about 250 ml of THF were placed in a reaction vessel under a blanket of argon. Diethyl 2-(2′,5′-dimethylphenyl)terephthalate (48.6 g, 149 mmol) (cf. C3) was diluted in a dropping funnel with about 60 ml of THF and slowly added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously during this addition. The mixture was diluted with another 100 ml of THF and then refluxed at 67° C. After 2 hours, it was cooled to RT. While cooling on a water bath and blanketing with argon, ice water was added dropwise until gas evolution had ceased. Dilute (10% strength) sulfuric acid was subsequently added dropwise until the turbid gray mixture became clear. The phase mixture was separated by addition of a generous amount of chloroform and the aqueous phase was subsequently shaken twice with chloroform. The organic phases were shaken once with H2O and evaporated. The crude product was recrystallized from chloroform/hexane: 24.7 g (68%) of colorless, microcrystalline powder; melting point: 145-148° C. (purity>95%).

Provenance & Evidence