Sodium borohydride → (2-Chloro-6-methylphenyl)methanol

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Reaction Steps

A solution of 24 g of 2-chloro-6-methylbenzaldehyde [L. G. Humber, J. Med. Chem., 7, 826 (1964)] in 200 ml of methanol is cooled in an ice bath while 6.0 g of sodium borohydride is added in portions. After stirring overnight at room temperature, the mixture is concentrated to dryness and the residue is partitioned between water and ether. The organic layer is washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, dried, and concentrated to yield the crude product. Recrystallization from benzene/hexane gives 20.8 g of 2-chloro-6-methylbenzyl alcohol, mp 83°-86° C. in two crops.

Provenance & Evidence